Correcting a labor injustice in N.C.

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.newsobserver.com/print/tuesday/opinion/story/1102357.html

James Andrews

RALEIGH - In North Carolina, there are thousands upon thousands of workers who are union members. Our neighbors working at employers such as Miller Brewing, Goodyear, AT&T and Yellow Freight all have exercised their constitutional right to bargain collectively.

So why can't police officers in Charlotte, school custodians in Greensboro, firefighters on the Outer Banks, state workers in Raleigh and teachers in Asheville enjoy the same fundamental American workplace right?

Because North Carolina is one of only two states that prohibit public employees from collective bargaining.

The legislation robbing public employees of their rights was the result of an organizing drive at the Charlotte Police Department a half-century ago. Elected leaders in the Queen City, along with the editorial page at the Charlotte Observer, stoked the fires of worst-case scenarios if the police officers dared exercise their constitutional right.

Something had to be done, and Mecklenburg County state Rep. Frank Snepp Jr. led his delegation in introducing a bill to take away workers' rights. N.C. General Statute 95-98 was passed by the General Assembly in May 1959, and Gov. Luther Hodges promptly signed it into law. As a result, North Carolina's public employees were relegated to second-class citizenship.

THIS OVERREACTION IGNORED A FUNDAMENTAL TRUTH. One of the most basic rights in the American workplace is the right to bargain collectively for wages, benefits and work responsibilities. In the first half of the 20th century, the exercising of these rights provided many of the benefits that workers now take for granted.

FULL story at link.