Highlights: PA limits authority and oversight of gas inspectors; Bill to loosen child labor restrictions heads to Maine Senate; OH anti-union legislation ready for Governor’s signature; WI moves to implement anti-union law despite multiple court orders; Labor bills targeted in boycott pass Ind. House; IL GOV: Budget-cutting governors have it wrong; Republican UT Gov Herbert resists party’s attempt to extend work week for state employees; New Hampshire Passes “Companion” Bill Stripping Bargaining a Day Early; Full Scrooge Alert at http://dailyscroogealert.blogspot.com/

All Around

US: As sweeping layoffs loom, schools gird for turmoil
School authorities across the nation are warning thousands of teachers that they could lose their jobs in June, raising the possibility that America's public schools may see the most extensive layoffs of their teaching staffs in decades.

Maine

Bill to loosen child labor restrictions heads to Maine Senate

The Senate will soon vote on an amended bill that would loosen restrictions within the state's child labor law. The amended proposal emerged from the Legislature's labor committee last week via a 7-6 vote along party lines. Republicans supported the measure, which would allow minors to work longer hours and more often during weeks when school is in session.

Indiana

Labor bills targeted in boycott pass Ind. House

Republicans in the Indiana House on Wednesday pushed through three labor-related bills that had drawn protests from Democrats during their five-week legislative boycott.

Indiana House OKs using tax money to pay for private schools
Evansville Courier & Press
Mitch Daniels' sweeping education agenda, which also includes measures that would expand Indiana's number of charter schools from the current 60, limit teachers' collective bargaining rights to wages and benefits, and tie teacher pay to student

Pennsylvania

Sen. Toomey wrong to support right-to-work bill
Allentown Morning Call
Toomey, instead of trying to erode unions by supporting the right-to-work bill, should be working on bringing back good-paying jobs that have gone overseas so everyone can live and enjoy a better life. Currently there are no comments

PA: Pennsylvania limits authority of oil and gas inspectors
Oil and gas inspectors policing Marcellus Shale development in Pennsylvania will no longer be able to issue violations to the drilling companies they regulate without first getting the approval of top officials. That's according to a directive laid out in a series of emails received by the Department of Environmental Protection staff last week and leaked to ProPublica

Dems say private liquor stores a bad idea

Gov. Tom Corbett's proposed privatization of state liquor stores is likely to lead to higher prices for consumers and cost the state steady revenues that help balance its budget, the chairman of the state House Democratic Policy Committee said Wednesday.

Privatizing treatment of mentally ill opposed

A renewed push to privatize forensic psychiatry services at two state mental hospitals is causing concern among lawmakers about the safety implications of such a change.

Consultant hired to study liquor stores

Gov. Tom Corbett's administration has taken a preliminary step toward privatizing the sale of wine and spirits in Pennsylvania, as an outside consultant began an analysis of the 620 state-owned and operated liquor stores.

School voucher proposal doesn't add up

There are questions you should be asking your state representatives/ senators regarding Senate Bill 1, the "Opportunity Scholarship and Educational Improvement Tax Credit Act," aka the educational voucher program.

Ohio

OH: Labor-rights restrictions ready for Kasich to sign
After two months of protests and two final votes Wednesday, lawmakers have drawn battle lines for the minds of Ohioans in November over the future of public-employee collective bargaining in the state.

In Ohio, instead of protests, a ballot-initiative push
msnbc.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- If Ohio's bill is the most ambitious attempt to limit public workers' collective bargaining rights -- and it is, much more far-reaching than Wisconsin's -- where are the throngs of protestors? For one thing, Columbus, OH

Ohio House OKs collective bargaining limits - FOX41.com Louisville ...
FOX41.com Louisville News Kentucky Indiana News Weather SportsOhio House OKs collective bargaining limits. Member Center

Wisconsin

WI: State will continue implementing collective bargaining law despite judge's order
State officials have not stopped putting in place changes to collective bargaining rules for public employees despite a judge's order barring the law's implementation -- and a threat of sanctions against anyone who violates it.

Michigan

New Michigan law increases state role in local government
State-appointed emergency managers will move into depressed local jurisdictions with the power to abrogate labor contracts and even break up local governments if they deem it necessary for community survival.

Missouri

Missouri’s Final Unemployment Checks Will Be Mailed Saturday

Illinois

IL: Quinn says budget-cutting governors have it wrong
For governors cutting education and health care and going after public-sector employees to balance budgets, here's a message from Illinois Governor Pat Quinn: You're wrong. Not mistaken, not misinformed.

New Hampshire

SURPRISE! New Hampshire Passes “Companion” Bill Stripping Bargaining a Day Early

wepartypatriots.com

A protest expecting upwards of 5,000 demonstrators is scheduled for Noon at the New Hampshire Capitol in Concord today. Ironworkers and other members of the New Hampshire Building Trades have already begun to gather. The website NH Cares is a complete resource for rally questions.

Minnesota

Teacher evaluations, job security would change under House ed bill
Minnesota Public Radio
The legislation also curbs collective bargaining rights by banning teacher strikes, and ending the tenure system in favor of five-year contracts. And, under the bill, teacher evaluations would be based on their students' test scores

House OKs bill freezing funds for special education
Minneapolis Star Tribune
Union president Tom Dooher said the bill was packed with "politically motivated policy," including "Wisconsin-style attacks on the collective bargaining rights of teachers." Charlie Kyte, executive director of the Minnesota Association of School

Alabama

Alabama legislators consider state employee furloughs

An Alabama Senate committee is considering whether to approve furloughs for state employees.

Utah

UT: Gov. Gary Herbert saves state employees' four-day workweek with veto
Gov. Gary Herbert vetoed four bills on Wednesday, the final day he could take action on legislation from the 2011 general session, including an attempt to end the state's four-day work week.

Montana

Pay plan for state employees still stalled in House as GOP waits on budget

Whether state workers get a raise the next two years will be resolved in final legislative talks on the state budget, but it's uncertain how much money is available to fund raises, a top Republican lawmaker said Wednesday.

Highlights: Nebraska, really??, OH House to vote on SB 5; IN GOP downplay concessions while DEMS celebrate; MI Teachers might face more strict anti-strike legislation; WI judge halts anti-union bill, again…; outcry in New Hampshire over budget and layoffs; MN passes education overhaul; Alabama workers speak out on paycheck legislation; Florida moves to deregulate while compensation compromise moves forward in Montana; Full Scrooge Alert at http://dailyscroogealert.blogspot.com/

Nebraska

Anti-union mood moves to Nebraska's modest unions
The Seattle Times
State workers also contribute 21 percent to the cost of their health insurance premiums, compared with an average of 6 percent in Wisconsin, said Abel. Because Nebraska is a right-to-work state, unions cannot collect dues from workers who decline to

Ohio

Ohio House to vote on collective bargaining limits - The Indiana ...
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio bill that would limit collective bargaining rights for 350000 public workers was poised for a vote before the

Unions vow repeal as bargaining bill nears passage

Even before the GOP-controlled House takes its final vote today, labor leaders and Democrats are gearing up to repeal the bill that dramatically limits the collective bargaining rights for 360,000 public workers.

Controversial Ohio collective bargaining bill heads toward final approval
Plain Dealer
"I think we're moving closer and closer to a right-to-work state where we eliminate everybody's right to join a union." Democrats also objected to a new provision regarding death benefits to survivors of police officers. They questioned how benefits

Indiana

Bosma: Democrats Embellishing "Victories"
93.1 WIBC Indianapolis
But the public collective bargaining bill is "very much alive and well." Bosma did say right-to-work is officially dead and Senate leaders had agreed to that awhile ago. Bosma also called the Democrats' march into the statehouse Mmonday afternoon a

Walkout winners, losers
Fort Wayne Journal Gazette
Proposals to expand charter schools, to limit teacher collective bargaining, to ban gay marriage, to expand gun rights and to set new limits on abortion rights are all still moving ahead. The walkout did indeed cause a time crunch

Minneosta

State GOP passes sweeping education overhaul
Minneapolis Star Tribune
Among the bill's most contentious policy provisions are multiple sections limiting collective bargaining rights for teachers. The bill would prohibit teachers from striking, restrict when they can negotiate contracts and repeal a penalty on school

Heavy equipment operators advocate for jobs
Workday Minnesota
Here in Minnesota, we have a Governor who will stand up for workers and help the middle class. ... Dayton said at the rally, “the right to work for nothin'

Michigan

MI: Group seeks labor e-mails by Michigan professors
A conservative research group in Michigan has issued a far-reaching public records request to the labor studies departments at three public universities in the state, seeking any e-mails involving the Wisconsin labor turmoil.

Tougher teacher no-strike law pushed

Michigan's school boards and administrators hope that proposed harsher penalties against striking teachers -- including revoking teaching licenses -- will take work stoppages off the table for good.

Price stickers to end; Union predicts hundreds of layoffs

One of the staples of the shopping experience in Michigan -- the individual price sticker -- will be consigned to the dustbin of history Sept. 1 when a new law signed Tuesday by Gov. Rick Snyder ends the state's item-pricing mandate.

Poll -- Snyder's approval rating slips

Gov. Rick Snyder's popularity has fallen, but a plurality of voters still approve of both him and his budget, according to a poll released today.

Wisconsin

Again...Wisconsin judge halts state from moving forward on law stripping collective bargaining right www.washingtonpost.com

Gov. Scott Walker’s administration insists a new law eliminating most collective bargaining rights for state employees has gone into effect.

Pennsylvania

Unions, not school districts, called on to collect dues
Danville News
“Unions do, very often, influence school board elections,” said Julian Stolz, executive director of Pennsylvania Right to Work. “A school board of directors

Corbett seeking a price for state liquor stores

Gov. Tom Corbett's administration took a preliminary step toward privatizing the sale of wine and spirits in Pennsylvania Tuesday, as an outside consultant began an analysis of the 620 state-owned and operated liquor stores.

New Hampshire

Right to Work is designed to hurt all wage earners

Original Article at http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110330/OPINION/103300358/-1/NEWSMAP
Seacoastonline.com
If the Right to Work bill is so good for workers, why are corporations, the super wealthy and New Hampshire Republicans promoting it? Rep. Will Smith's letter to the editor, ("Right to Work bill would benefit workers in NH" Portsmouth Herald

House budget sees hundreds of layoffs

The state budget proposed by the state House could leave twice as many New Hampshire workers jobless as those who would be laid off under the governor's spending plan for the next two years.

Rally to denounce budget cuts

Organizers of a rally say they expect thousands of people to gather at the State House tomorrow to ask the Senate to reject a state budget under consideration by the House.

In this reckless climate, we can't afford to wait
Concord Monitor
Right-to-work, a misleading name for a policy that undermines the rights of workers to organize and collectively bargain for decent wages and benefits, passed the House already. New Hampshire has never been a right-to-work state; under Democrats and

Alabama

Alabama state workers join teachers in contesting ban on payroll deductions

Like the firefighters, the 17,000 members of the Alabama State Employees Association have jumped into the ongoing legal battle between public school teachers and Alabama's Republican lawmakers.

Alabama courts announce layoffs

The state judicial system plans to lay off 150 employees including juvenile probation officers, staffs for judges, law clerks and bailiffs, and could cut more if the system does not receive more money than Gov. Robert Bentley recommended for the coming year.

Montana

Work compensation compromise moves forward

The House is giving its blessing to a deal between Gov. Brian Schweitzer and Democrats to cut workers' compensation insurance rates universally seen as among the most expensive in the country

Florida

Deregulation bill would cost Florida $6 million in lost revenue, 100 jobs

As lawmakers seek to close a budget gap and eliminate "job-killing regulations," a vast deregulation bill would free auto repair shops from providing customers with written estimates that break down the cost of parts and labor. It would halt inspections of businesses that sell ice, and stop state reports on how charities use their contributions.

Maine

Greg Kesich: Labor mural controversy too tempting to ignore
Press Herald
We have received more letters to the editor about the mural, which affects only two-dimensional images of workers, than we have about right-to-work legislation, which would hurt real-live union members and their families. And the over-the-top award

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Right to Work is designed to hurt all wage earners
Original article found at http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20110330-OPINION-103300358

March 26 — To the Editor:

If the Right to Work bill is so good for workers, why are corporations, the super wealthy and New Hampshire Republicans promoting it?

Rep. Will Smith's letter to the editor, ("Right to Work bill would benefit workers in N.H." Portsmouth Herald, March 25) seriously and simplistically misrepresents the interests and concerns of wage earners.

Contrary to Smith's claims, Right to Work is anti-union and hurts working people, union and non-union alike. Because that's what it is designed to do.

The National Right to Work Committee was formed in 1955 by a group of southern businessmen with the express purpose of fighting unions: I seriously doubt they did so to promote worker's rights or wages!

The two major supporters of Right To Work (for less) are the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation and the aforementioned National Right to Work Committee. Both are funded by large corporations and groups like the Koch brothers foundations (the brothers have about $38 billion between them — they're big in toilet paper). These people are not exactly known for their support of workers, Rep. Smith.

Smith failed to mention some juicy information. For example, all the former slave states are Right to Work states. Kind of gives you the mentality of the Right to Work (for less) supporters, doesn't it?

Smith quotes statistics from two pro-Right to Work organizations that get funding from anti-union organizations like those mentioned above. Not very convincing sources. The fact is, Right to Work statistics are quite complicated, but certain facts are not:

The average worker in a Right to Work state makes about $5,333 a year less than workers in other states. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

It is a fact that N.H. (while non-Right to Work) has done better than the national average and almost all other states in terms of unemployment.

It is a fact that Right to Work has not been a consideration of businesses exploring the possibility of locating in New Hampshire. The things that mattered are skilled labor force, education and quality of life. (N.H. Department of Resources and Economic Development)

It is a fact that the rate of workplace deaths is 51 percent higher in states with Right to Work laws. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Right to Work (for less) poses a serious threat to wage earners, it is funded by outside interests who don't care about New Hampshire and, by lowering wages, threatens the state economy. This is not what we sent our elected officials to Concord to do!

Michael Frandzel

Portsmoth

Highlights: Walker’s “Budget Repair Bill” actually increases state spending; IN Dems get concessions and return home; OH SB 5 anti-union bill to get committee vote TODAY; FreedomWorks heads to Pennsylvania; MI Gov cuts 2012 unemployment benefits; privatization proposals in FL; Scrooge Alert here http://dailyscroogealert.blogspot.com/

All Around

The Truth Behind the Public Pensions’ Funding Gap State governors across the nation, led by newly elected right-wing Republicans (with several Democratic governors in tow), are whipping up anti-union sentiment by declaring that public workers and their unions are the cause of state budget deficits.

Minnesota's iron ore industry bounces back less than 2 years after bottoming out

Minnesota's iron ore industry has bounced back to full speed thanks to global steel demand, less than two years after bottoming out.

Indiana

Indiana Dems To Return Home With Big Concessions From GOPers

tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com

Just about a month ago, dozens of Indiana state House Democrats fled to Illinois to shut down what they said was a Republican agenda that targeted workers rights and the public schools. Now they're set to return, having won several...

IN: Democrats return, but will legislators meet session deadline?
Five weeks lost. Five weeks left. With Democrats back in the Indiana House, ending a standoff that was one of the longest in Indiana's and the nation's legislative history, the legislature is now in a race against the clock.

Michigan

MI: Michigan governor Rick Snyder signs bill to cut unemployment benefits in 2012
As Gov. Rick Snyder and lawmakers struggle to erase a looming $1.4-billion state deficit, another deficit nearly three times as large hangs over the head of Michigan employers.

State's labor market recovery stronger than nation's, study says

Once the state with the highest unemployment rate, Michigan is now "experiencing a stronger recovery in its labor markets than the nation," Comerica Bank's chief economist said in a report released Friday.

Ohio

Ohio's collective bargaining overhaul could see nearly a dozen changes before ...
Plain Dealer
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The latest version of Senate Bill 5 -- a Republican-backed plan to reduce collective bargaining rights -- will be unveiled Tuesday with nearly a dozen changes, including modifications that could address concerns police and fire unions

Ohio House Panel Plans Changes To SB5
WLWT Cincinnati
COLUMBUS -- State legislative leaders plan to make at least 10 substantive changes to a bill that would restrict collective bargaining, including removing jail time as a possible penalty for public workers who unlawfully participate in strikes,

House committee to vote Tuesday on SB5

House Republicans plan to hold a committee vote on the collective-bargaining bill on Tuesday morning, and leaders say some of the changes under consideration will make law enforcement and firefighters happier with the bill.

Ohio is next in collective bargaining crackdown

TODAY'S TAKE: The fight in the states over collective bargaining shifts this week to Ohio, where the House of Representatives could vote on a Senate-approved measure to limit negotiation powers for public employee unions.

Action on SB 5 may be fast and furious
Columbus Dispatch
Uecker added: "I and several of my fellow colleagues are in favor of a right-to-work state. Unfortunately, that's not what this bill does, but it sets the framework for conversations later on." A key issue under discussion has been how to resolve

Wisconsin

Here is the latest Wisconsin news from The Associated Press:
WMTV
(AP) -- This morning's court hearing could offer some clarity on whether a new law eliminating most of Wisconsin workers' collective bargaining rights has actually gone into effect. Republican Gov. Scott Walker's administration insists the measure is ...

WI: Spending would increase 1% under Walker budget
Gov. Scott Walker's proposed budget would increase overall spending by 1% over two years rather than reduce it as the administration had said earlier this month.

Pennsylvania

FreedomWorks heads to Pennsylvania where groups hopes to quash unions
The Washington Independent
FreedomWorks has been outspoken about trying to abolish collective bargaining rights for all Pennsylvania employees and recently started a petition calling for legislation that would do so. The Frederick Douglas Foundation's emphasis on this particular

Legislators to restore some education cuts

Calling the governor's proposed cuts to higher education "unacceptable," lawmakers from both sides of the aisle told university officials and students that they'll be fighting for more funding in the final spending plan.

Union leader defends Pennsylvania state-run liquor sales

A leader of the union that represents most employees of Pennsylvania's state-owned liquor and wine stores says they do a better job of collecting taxes and preventing underage drinking than private businesses would do.

Maine

Labor mural is moved to undisclosed location

A mural depicting Maine's labor history was removed from the lobby of the state's Department of Labor and stored at an undisclosed location over the weekend by directive of Gov. Paul LePage.

Unions help Maine work
Lewiston Sun Journal
By Patrick Carleton In a recent letter to the editor (March 20), Arthur Gagne cited facts regarding Right to Work; however, he offers no facts regarding the proposed law. According to a recent Bureau of Labor Education study for the University of Maine

Iowa

Iowa, Minnesota see spillover from Wisconsin's union battles
Washington Times
Recently, Minnesota public-employee unions protested a number of bills being introduced in the state House, specifically one that would freeze salaries and slash the state workforce, though leaving collective bargaining intact. However, Gov

Florida

Legislation in Tallahassee amounts to GOP anti-union politics
Sun-Sentinel
Florida is a "right to work state," meaning that workers can't be compelled to join a union and pay dues. The Legislature's GOP majority is singling out public employee unions because they normally plow millions of dollars into supporting Democratic

Legislature wants to privatize prisons, probation officers

In what could signal a massive private takeover of public prisons, the Florida Senate quietly slipped language into its newly proposed budget Monday that seeks to give corporations the chance to run correctional facilities and probation services in 18 counties.

New Hampshire

NH House Committee moves to end Collective Bargaining for Public ...
Tagged as: budget reform bill, collective bargaining rights, New Hampshire, public sector unions, SEIU, State Employees Association of New Hampshire

Damaging Law Targets New Hampshire Educators - Education Votes
The New Hampshire House Finance Committee voted last week to approve budget bill H.B. 2, which includes an anti-public sector collective bargaining