Sen. Paul Gazelka, R-Brainerd, joined Sen. Dave Thompson, R-Lakeville, Thursday to announce their introduction of a constitutional amendment that would give Minnesotans the opportunity to vote on whether or not Minnesota workers should have the freedom to join a union or not. Currently, if someone is hired by a company with a collective bargaining agreement in place, that person is required to join the union or pay fair share dues.
“This is an employee rights bill and a jobs bill,” Gazelka said in a news release. Any employee should have the freedom to choose to join or not join a union and to pay or not pay union dues. This bill will make a union-employee’s union more responsive to his or her individual concerns. I’m proud to co-author this bill that puts decision-making back in the hands of the worker and helps our state economy move forward.”
If Minnesotans vote in favor of this amendment, every Minnesota worker would still have the right to join or support a labor union. Union employees would still be able to collectively bargain the same as under current law.
Thompson said states that have passed similar measures have experienced growth in business. He said from 1993 to 2009, private sector employment increased nearly 38 percent in those states versus only 19.6 percent in forced-unionism states.
Comments (70)
Add commentAutumn
Autumnson, first let me say that both you and your friend are underpaid for what you do. I can't imagine the patience and compassion it takes to do your job. My mom is in the same field.
But, if I were you, I would not be jealous of your friend's union job. You've been in the field 8 years, and she's been in 4. Why did you not apply for the job she got? Why have you not applied for one of these jobs in a state run group home sometime in the last 4 years when you see that your friend has a better pay scale? You could be where she is. When making career choices, it is prudent to follow the money and that could mean changing jobs. If your current employer in a private group home lost enough good employees because they go where they can make more money, he will raise his salary scale or resign himself to the fact that he is a training ground with a high turnover rate.
But if you have applied and not gotten one of those jobs, then you need to ask yourself why. Maybe your friend interviews better, has a more impressive resume, better recommendations (which makes me also wonder why your friend isn't recommending you for a job when one comes available). Maybe your friend has a better of more extensive employment history. In short, maybe she is working the better paying job because she was judged by those doing the hiring to be the better employee. You can fix that. Brush up your resume, get letters of recommendation, practice your interview skills and invest in an interview "wardrobe" (doesn't have to be expensive), and then apply for every single one of those union/state group home jobs that come along. With 8 years in the field, a killer resume, great references and a polished/professional appearance, you should be a snap to get one of those jobs you envy.
Good luck to you.
unions
It's a known fact that some people don't have a clue what they are talking about and are just jealous that others can actually make a decent living.
I like how liberals and dems
always justify their thinking, not with inteligence, but with pettiness. If you don't agree with the gay agenda, you're a homophobe; if you don't agree with unions, you're jealous; if you don't agree to no voter ID's, you are either a racists and/or denying their rights. You people will never be happy until we have complete anarchy, and then you'll blame someone else!
Tired of reading the personal insults and labeling
It would be great if people could just stick to the facts (after they have checked them out) and just relay their opinions without insults and mudslinging.
Brainnews
Mr. Brainnews, I've seen a lot of people try to get the liberals to learn how to do that, but so far they've been unsucessful. Maybe after November?
Oh aren't you such a paragon
Oh aren't you such a paragon of studied, rational discourse Fauxie (fairly unbalanced)?
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
lets talk about issues
And leave the labels and name calling out of it.