STATE EMPLOYEES

New Republican governors go after union members

If there was ever an example of the importance of union political action, it was when Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels’ voided the collective-bargaining rights and ripped up the labor agreements of 23,000 state workers.

“This speaks volumes about the need to be involved in politics,” said UAW Region 3 Director Terry Thurman. “We told the membership time after time there is real danger if Daniels is elected governor.”

That danger became reality for Indiana state workers, including 14,000 workers represented by UAW Local 9212. The other 9,000 workers are represented by AFSCME.

“We’ve had two meetings with the local and we will continue to represent them and speak out on legislative issues,” said Thurman.

Democrat Indiana Gov. Evan Bayh signed an executive order 15 years ago giving state employees collective-bargaining rights. That order was renewed by successive Democratic governors Frank O’Bannon and Joseph Kernan.

Indiana state employees and their unions have worked with the executive branch to improve the quality, efficiency and responsiveness of state government, while at the same time improving state employees’ wages, benefits and working conditions. This constructive relationship has benefited all of Indiana’s citizens and taxpayers. Gov. Daniels’ decision to destroy that relationship is bad public policy and morally indefensible.

Daniels’ actions are part of ongoing anti-union moves by Republican governors. Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher did the same thing last year, and new Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt took away state employees’ collective-bargaining rights and nullified contracts the day after Daniels acted in Indiana. Of course, they take their example from the top — President George Bush denied workers in the Department of Homeland Security the right to join unions and bargain collectively.

“I’m not surprised,” said Thurman. “The Republican ideology is they don’t want workers to have collective-bargaining rights. It’s an outrage we have to fight on a daily basis.”

This systematic, ideologically driven assault on workers’ rights in America is atrocious. Despite these setbacks, the UAW will continue to fight for the right of workers in the public and private sectors to form unions and bargain collectively. And our union will continue to support and represent our members who work for the state of Indiana in every way possible.