GOP's opposition to voting rule caused 4,000 FAA layoffs

http://peoplesworld.org/gop-s-opposition-to-voting-rule-caused-4-000-faa-layoffs/

by: Mark Gruenberg
August 1 2011



WASHINGTON - Republican congressional opposition to a rule covering union elections among airline and railroad workers led to a partial shutdown of the Federal Aviation Administration and the layoff of 4,000 FAA workers - none of them air traffic controllers - at midnight on July 22.

Instead, work on modernizing the nation's airports, paid for by passenger ticket taxes, was brought to a screeching halt. And since the FAA couldn't collect the tax money, totaling $200 million weekly, the airlines did - and pocketed it.

At issue was the latest short-term bill renewing the FAA and its authority to collect the ticket taxes, run the air traffic control system, and perform other duties. A long-term bill for the agency, which would also let it go ahead with its plans to modernize the air traffic control system, is likewise hung up over union elections.

The House's ruling Republicans attached provisions to both bills to void the National Mediation Board's decision allowing union elections among airline and rail workers to be decided by the majority of those voting, just like all other elections.

The GOP wants to go back to an older standard, where the union wins only if it gets a majority of all those eligible to vote. Non-voters are "no" votes in that case.

Union leaders blasted the GOP. Government Employees President John Gage said the stall could endanger safety. The leaders also vowed to fight for the simple majority rule.

FULL story at link.

It make absolutely no sense that abstaining or missing a vote should be a no vote. They are slowly(or quickly) chopping away at workers rights. My BF is one of the 4000.

or are they blaming President Obama?

are sabotaging the economy deliberately