Kerry: Opponents of Workers' Rights Shortchange America's Workers

[ProSense]

06/26/2007

Kerry: Opponents of Workers' Rights Shortchange America's Workers


WASHINGTON D.C. – Senator John Kerry today made the following statement on the Employee Free Choice Act, to remove barriers for workers trying to organize. The Act failed a cloture vote this morning; the vote was 51-48. The legislation would have mandated that employers recognize a majority vote by workers who want to form a union. Sen. Kerry is an original co-sponsor and longtime supporter of the Employee Free Choice Act.


“The Republicans who stood in the way of this bill insulted workers across our country, but we will keep fighting until the right to organize is free from obstacles and fairness is restored to this system,” Senator Kerry said. “Millions of Americans want to join a union, but corporate-funded illegal activity and fear tactics have stood in their way. Since day one, this Administration has been rolling back the clock on workers’ rights and turning a blind eye to its union-busting patrons. We will restore balance to a broken labor system. I urge opponents of this bill to consider whether America’s workers deserve fair pay, health care and a stable retirement. We will fight to get this legislation back to the floor as soon as possible.”

[RaleighNCDUer]

1. “The Republicans who stood in the way of this bill..."

and at least a couple of Dems. Know who they were?

[Mass]

2. No Democrats voted against cloture on this bill.

One Republican, Specter, voted for cloture.

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=1&vote=00227

[RaleighNCDUer]

3. My mistake - I thought cloture votes only required a simple majority

not 3/5, and since we have that simple majority that would indicate some dems voting against cloture for it to be rejected.

Must be a bit of senility - I just can't seem to keep that straight.