@LRToday Morning Round-Up: April 12, 2012
"Labor movement risks its political clout with campaign to recall Wisconsin Gov. Walker" -- Washington Post
Unions are facing a make-or-break moment in their campaign to drive Wisconsin’s Republican governor from office.
If unions and their Democratic allies prevail in the recall — just over a year after Gov. Scott Walker signed legislation to curb collective bargaining rights for most public workers — it would send a powerful warning to other politicians who might try to limit union rights. Unions also might find it easier to turn out more voters in November for President Barack Obama in this battleground state.
"For Union-Owned Bank, Lifeline Offers Chance for Growth" -- New York Times
For Amalgamated Bank, having owners from both organized labor and the financial world is not just a marriage of convenience. The move will also help the bank take advantage of growth areas.
On Wednesday, Amalgamated Bank, long the nation’s only union-owned bank, announced that two financiers who offered it a lifeline — Wilbur L. Ross Jr. and Ronald W. Burkle — had closed a deal giving them 41 percent ownership in the bank.
"NLRB continues with controversial moves and appointments" -- Business Management Daily
Last year ended and 2012 began with a flurry of activity from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Between controversial appointments to the board and action on two new rules concerning organized labor, the NLRB has given employers much to watch.
"US Airways Labor Pacts Could Hinder AMR Merger Effort" -- The Street
Labor contracts at US Airways (LCC) could pose a problem as the airline pursues an effort to merge with bankrupt AMR (AAMRQ.PK).
Contracts with pilots and flight attendants, signed during the carrier's 2002 bankruptcy, both contain "snapback" provisions that would bring wages back to pre-bankruptcy levels in the event of a change of control. Unions sought the provisions so that employees would benefit if their bankruptcy concessions led to a successful outcome. In the case of pilots, wages would increase by about 50% if the provision was implemented.
"Senate Tables Right-To-Work Bill" -- WMUR
The state Senate tabled a bill Wednesday that union leaders said was an attempt to destroy organized labor.
The move disappointed House Republicans, who passed the right-to-work bill earlier this year, even though a similar measure was vetoed by the governor last year.
Senate Republicans said this isn't the time to try to pass the bill that would have limited unions' ability to collect fees from nonunion workers.
