Bill Text: MO HCR15 | 2010 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Supports the passage of the federal Employee Free Choice Act to protect and preserve for America's workers their freedom to choose for themselves whether or not to form a union
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-05-14 - Refer: Spec Stand Com on Workforce Dev & Workplace Safety(H) [HCR15 Detail]
Download: Missouri-2010-HCR15-Introduced.html
SECOND REGULAR SESSION
House Concurrent Resolution No. 15
95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES MEADOWS (Sponsor), HARRIS, HUMMEL, McNEIL, SCHIEFFER, CORCORAN, FALLERT, FISCHER (107), CARTER, WALTON GRAY, PACE, MORRIS, WEBBER, HODGES, NORR, LOW, LAMPE, ROORDA, STORCH, KRATKY, WALSH, McDONALD, COLONA, KIRKTON AND NEWMAN (Co-sponsors).
Whereas, in 1935 the United States established by law that workers must be free to form unions; and
Whereas, the freedom to form or join a union is internationally recognized by the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a fundamental human right; and
Whereas, the free choice to join with others and bargain for better wages and benefits is essential to economic opportunity and good living standards; and
Whereas, unions benefit communities by strengthening living standards, stabilizing tax bases, promoting equal treatment, and enhancing civic participation; and
Whereas, states in which more people are union members are states with higher wages, better benefits, and better schools; and
Whereas, union workers receive better wages and benefits, with union workers earning 29% more than workers without a union, 35% more likely to have access to health insurance, and are four times more likely to have access to a guaranteed defined-benefit pension; and
Whereas, unions help raise workers' pay and narrow the income gap for minorities and women, by increasing median weekly earnings by 31% for union women workers, 31% for African-American workers, 50% for Latino workers, and 9% for Asian-American workers; and
Whereas, workers across the nation are routinely denied the freedom to form unions and bargain for a better life, with 25% of private-sector employers illegally firing at least one worker for union activity during organizing campaigns; and
Whereas, 77% of the public believes it is important to have strong laws protecting the freedom for workers to make their own decision about having a union, and 58% of workers would join a union if they had a chance; and
Whereas, employers often refuse to bargain fairly with workers after forming a union by dragging out first contract bargaining for up to two years in 45% of successful campaigns; and
Whereas, each year millions of dollars are spent to frustrate workers' efforts to form unions, and most violations of workers' freedom to choose a union occur behind closed doors, with 78% of employers forcing employees to attend mandatory anti-union meetings; and
Whereas, when the right of workers to form a union is violated, wages fall, race and gender pay gaps widen, workplace discrimination increases and job safety standards disappear; and
Whereas, a worker's fundamental right to choose a union free from coercion and intimidation is a public issue that requires public policy solutions, including legislative remedies; and
Whereas, the Employee Free Choice Act has been introduced in the United States Congress in order to restore workers' freedom to join a union; and
Whereas, the Employee Free Choice Act will safeguard workers' ability to make their own decisions with these abuses, provide for first contract mediation and arbitration, and establish meaningful penalties when employers violate workers' rights:
Now, therefore, be it resolved that the members of the House of Representatives of the Ninety-fifth General Assembly, Second Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, hereby support the Employee Free Choice Act which would authorize the National Labor Relations Board to certify a union as the bargaining representative when a majority of employees voluntarily sign authorizations designating that union to represent them, provide for first contract mediation and arbitration, and establish meaningful penalties for violations of a worker's freedom to choose a union; and
Be it further resolved that the Missouri Assembly urges the United States Congress to pass the Employee Free Choice Act to protect and preserve for America's workers their freedom to choose for themselves whether or not to form a union; and
Be it further resolved that the Chief Clerk of the Missouri House of Representatives be instructed to prepare a properly inscribed copies of this resolution for each member of the Missouri Congressional delegation.
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