Labor unions push back on collective bargaining proposals (update on OS's union battle)

Seven hours of testimony at yesterdays hearing.

http://journalstar.com/news/unicameral/article_5093e296-49e3-532e-b245-65deea2aeb20.html?mode=story

By KEVIN O'HANLON / Lincoln Journal Star JournalStar.com |Posted: Monday, February 7, 2011 2:30 pm

Nebraska's labor unions pushed back Monday on plans by some state lawmakers to change or abolish the Commission of Industrial Relations -- including two measures that would ban the government from engaging in collective bargaining for wages and benefits.

Dozens of union members appeared at a news conference at the Nebraska State Education Association, the union for the state's 26,000 teachers, a few hours before the Legislature's Business and Labor Committee discussed nine proposals dealing with the CIR.

Mark Salerno of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers said the measures were "radical proposals" that "infringe upon citizens' freedom of association (and) right to come together as individuals and collectively express, promote, pursue and defend common interests."

One of those measures (LB664), by Sen. John Nelson of Omaha, would abolish the CIR and prohibit the government from engaging in collective bargaining. A proposed constitutional amendment (LR29CA), also by Nelson, would ask voters to approve banning government from engaging in collective bargaining.

Current law prevents public unions from striking. In exchange, it requires government employers to bargain with unions and gives the CIR the power to make decisions in disputes.

FULL story from link.

K & R