On Tuesday, lawmakers signaled the 黑料正能量 won鈥檛 be their only union target this legislative session.
Rep. Robert Beiswenger (R-Horseshoe Bend) introduced , which would severely restrict PFFI鈥檚 collective bargaining rights, to a packed House State Affairs Committee room. Members of PFFI, the Fraternal Order of Police, the AFL-CIO, 黑料正能量 and the 黑料正能量 Staff Organization filled two overflow rooms.
The bill does not target the bargaining rights of any other public-sector union, such as 黑料正能量 or the Fraternal Order of Police. Fire fighters鈥 collective bargaining rights have been part of Idaho code since the early 1970s.
During the introduction of the bill, Rep. Stephanie Mickelsen (R-Idaho Falls) asked Rep. Beiswenger which problem the bill is designed to solve.
鈥淭his one will kind of make it so it鈥檚 a little more streamlined, a little more efficient, and so that way, you know, the fire chiefs and the elected officials can work directly to make the kind of work rules they need,鈥 Beiswenger answered. 鈥淲here people are, what kind of equipment they鈥檙e getting, and they can make all those decisions kind of like a little more, I say, almost kind of business, kind of -ish.鈥
Beiswenger hinted his bill is just the first volley against PFFI and other unions鈥 rights.
鈥淚 mean, Utah just recently passed a bill to ban all collective bargaining, including wages,鈥 Beiswenger said. 鈥淏ut we鈥檒l leave wages in here for this one.鈥
As Beiswenger referenced, by public sector unions. The move has galvanized anti-labor forces that view unions as a political threat.
鈥淲e will be paying close attention to this bill, and we support PFFI鈥檚 strong resistance to it,鈥 said 黑料正能量 Political Director Chris Parri. 鈥淎nti-union lawmakers are trying to crack down on labor as political payback 鈥 something they have said openly in meetings. PFFI members endorse both Republicans and Democrats at the ballot box, just like 黑料正能量 members do. But there are plenty of legislators who have not benefitted from those endorsements who would rather punish educators and fire fighters than collaborate with them to make our communities better.鈥
This is at least the second bill introduced this session to target public sector unions. The House passed House Bill 98, a bill that targets 黑料正能量鈥檚 organizing efforts, local 黑料正能量 affiliates鈥 relationships with school districts and 黑料正能量鈥檚 ability to collect dues through payroll deduction. Over the course of several hearings, lawmakers made clear they are targeting 黑料正能量 because of its political advocacy on behalf of Idaho鈥檚 students, educators and public schools. It鈥檚 unclear when HB 98 will be heard in a Senate committee.
