Apr 14, 2011
Governor Scott Walker Joins Representatives Reid Ribble, Sean Duffy on Undercutting Working Families
Governor Scott Walker joins his allies Representatives Reid Ribble and Sean Duffy in Washington today to push an extreme agenda that undercuts working families. Governor Walker provided expert testimony on how to limit public workers’ ability to organize and bargain collectively. His visit today comes after Representatives Ribble’s and Duffy’s recent vote to limit collective bargaining rights of transportation workers.
“Governor Walker’s deplorable agenda to sell out working families is alive and well in Washington thanks to Representatives Reid Ribble and Sean Duffy,” said Haley Morris of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “Instead of common-sense reforms to take on special interests, they support an extreme agenda that’s tone-deaf to Wisconsin and costs jobs.”
Governor Walker testified today at the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing, “State and Municipal Debt: Tough Choices Ahead.” Both Representatives Ribble and Duffy support the extreme Walker agenda although the majority of Wisconsin families oppose it. Duffy also fundraised with Governor Walker in his district just days after his move to limit collective bargaining rights passed the statehouse. The two were met by thousands of protesters.
Background
Walker to Testify about Limiting Labor Rights. “Committee Republicans invited Mr. Walker to talk about Wisconsin’s new law limiting public workers’ ability to organize and bargain collectively. Mr. Walker, a vocal advocate for the legislation, sparked a national debate over labor rights.” [Wall Street Journal, 4/13/11]
Walker Will Travel to Washington to Testify before House Oversight. Walker will appear before the House Oversight Committee at 9:30 AM on Thursday April 14 to testify during the committee’s hearing on State and Municipal Debt. [CQ, 4/13/11]
Representatives Sean Duffy and Reid Ribble voted against protecting collective bargaining rights. Duffy and Ribble voted against an amendment that would have protected the collective bargaining rights for airline and railroad workers. [HR 658, Vote #217, 4/01/11]
Amendment would have protected workers’ collective bargaining rights. The amendment, offered by Representative LaTourette (R-OH), ensured that union representation elections respect the will of workers. Under current rules, the National Mediation Board certifies a union to represent airline and railroad workers if a majority of voting workers favor representation in a representation election. Representative LaTourette’s amendment would have struck an unjust provision of the bill that undermines workers’ collective-bargaining rights by requiring the Board to certify a union only if a super-majority of all eligible voters favor representation. [The Hill, 3/31/11]
Duluth News Tribune: “Wisconsin governor greeted at Washburn fundraiser by thousands of protesters.” Both Governor Scott Walker and Duffy attended the March 2011 Lincoln Day Dinner as thousands of protesters picketed outside the steakhouse. [Duluth News Tribune, 3/13/11]
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