councilor.org
| Source | Dave Anderson |
| Date | 99/09/12/22:29 |
| LaborTalk: A New, Phony GOP Tactic By Harry Kelber When the House finally takes up campaign finance reform, rightwing Republicans will seek to win approval of their so-called "Worker Paycheck Fairness Act" (HR 2434), virtually the same legislation that organized labor was able to defeat in more than 30 states in the past two years. Their tactic is to offer the anti-labor measure as an amendment to the Shays-Meehan bill, which would ban contributions of unlimited "soft money" to political candidates. Under the bill sponsored by Rep. William F. Gooding (R.-Pa.), which he introduced last July, unions would be prohibited from spending dues money on activities other than collective bargaining and contract authorization without written authorization from their members. In the name of campaign finance reform, the amendment would bar unions from holding legislative conferences, publishing educational material, participating in election campaigns or even making contributions to worthy social organizations without the written consent of each member. Moreover, employees could sue unions that violate the act and seek not only refunds but legal damages. With members of the House and the Senate frantically competing to raise funds for their re-election campaigns, they are understandably reluctant to shut down any source of fund-raising. Yet, because of public disgust at the enormous sums candidates are raising, congressional leaders, after months of foot-dragging and evasion, have finally had to agree to a debate. With at least three other bills besides the Shay-Meehan measure and a string of amendments to be considered, it is most unlikely that Congress will come up with legislation that would slow up, much less stop, the torrent of "soft money" that is pouring into the campaign coffers of candidates more than a year before the 2000 election. It would be ironic--as well as devastating--if all the furor about campaign finance reform ended with legislation to cripple labor's ability to engage in political activity, while allowing corporations to continue to write big checks for candidates with an eye on past and future favors. |
Copyright (c) 1998, Joongpil Cho