councilor.org
| Source | Jim Key |
| Date | 99/09/02/20:21 |
| For Your Information!! When the House reconvenes after Labor Day, one of the first items it is expected to take up is the Shays-Meehan campaign finance reform legislation. During consideration of this bill, the GOP leadership has made in order an amendment sponsored by Representative Goodling (R-Pa.) that embodies the so-called "Paycheck Deception" legislation that the labor movement successfully defeated in the last Congress. The Goodling "Paycheck Deception" amendment is totally one-sided. It would impose the burdensome advance authorization requirement on labor unions, but does not impose a similar requirement on corporations or other groups such as the Chamber of Commerce, the National Rifle Association or the Christian Coalition. In the 1998 elections corporations already outspent unions by a margin of 11 to 1. The "Paycheck Deception" legislation would further tilt the political playing field in favor of corporations and right wing groups by making it more difficult for workers to communicate their views on political issues. The Goodling "Paycheck Deception" amendment also violates the First Amendment rights of working men and women. Under the First Amendment, workers have the right to express their views and to freely associate. This includes acting through a union to communicate their views on political issues that have a direct impact on the well-being of working families, such as the minimum wage, workplace health and safety, pension and health care legislation. But under the "Paycheck Deception" legislation, the ability of workers to speak out on these issues would effectively be undermined. For all of these reasons, the UAW and other unions are strongly urging Representatives to vote against the Goodling "Paycheck Deception" amendment when it is offered during the debate on the campaign finance reform legislation. Please take the time to call, write or meet with your Representative on this critically important issue. Urge them to vote against the Goodling "Paycheck Deception" amendment. Tell them to oppose any legislation that would stifle the ability of workers to participate in the political process. To telephone your Representative and Senators you can call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-312 and ask for their offices. Or use the UAW Congressional Action Center to help you easily create an email that’s sent directly to your representative and senators, even if you’ re not sure of their names. http://www.capweb.net/uaw/ |
Copyright (c) 1998, Joongpil Cho