Talk about some sneaky bastards.

[William769]

Republican Senators Propose Linking LGBT Rights To Union Busting

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) are trying to attach a national so-called “right-to-work” law to the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), according to Roll Call. The two filed an amendment connecting ENDA to the anti-union measure hours before the discrimination ban passed a key hurdle on its way to its first floor vote in the Senate in six years. The proposal would effectively require workers to trade protections from discrimination on the basis of sexuality and gender identity for their rights to strong union protections from other employer abuses.

A person can be fired for being gay or transgendered in a majority of states, and ENDA would ban employers from discriminating against LGBT people nationwide. ENDA has languished for 20 years, but a procedural vote on Monday night put it on track for its first floor vote in the Senate since 2007.

The idea behind right-to-work laws is much more complicated than the name suggests. The laws prohibit unions from requiring dues payments from all employees in a unionized workplace. That creates a free-rider problem whereby workers who stand to gain higher wages and better job conditions from a successful union contract bargaining effort can refuse to help pay for those efforts. While the laws are often billed as rescuing workers from being forced to pay union dues, workers can already refuse to contribute to the political efforts of the union that represents their interests on the job site.

Despite their branding, right-to-work laws are designed to weaken unions, which in turn drives down wages. Workers in right-to-work states like Michigan and Indiana make about $1,500 less per year than those in other states. States with strong unions have a stronger middle class than others. Right-to-work laws don’t boost job creation, either, according to studies of the 22 states that operate under the policy. Workplace safety and health insurance benefits are also weaker in right-to-work states.

http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2013/11/05/2893001/enda-work/

They are just incapable of doing the right fucking thing!

[Myrina]

1. Signing Statement by the Prez if it gets to him?

"yeah, about that amendment .... it's bullshit and I strike it from the text." ???

[hootinholler]

5. I don't know where people got the notion the pres can do that.

He does not have the power to change the law, only to make a statement or give direction on how it will be interpreted.

[Myrina]

6. That's why I posed it as a question

Jesus Christ already.

[atreides1]

2. They are doing the "right thing"!

Just not for the American people...

[Blue Owl]

3. Rand Paul also attempting to attach right-to-plagiarize law

n/t

[William769]

4. Well that will get all the republicans on board.

[Bandit]

7. It doesn't matter, it won't see a vote in the House anyway.

[Omaha Steve]

8. Why not lower the minimum wage too?

K&R!