Feds threaten to sue S.C. over union laws
Published 10:48 am Friday, January 14, 2011
The National Labor Relations Board is threatening to sue four states, including South Carolina, over recently approved amendments regarding unions.
From the Associated Press:
The agency says the amendments conflict with federal law. Employers have the option to recognize a union if a majority of workers sign cards that support unionizing.
The amendments have already taken effect in South Dakota and Utah. They are expected to become effective soon in Arizona and South Carolina.
Business groups sought the amendments. They are concerned that Congress might enact legislation requiring employers to allow the “card check” process for forming unions instead of secret ballot elections.
Unions have long pushed for card check. But the bill has not garnered enough support in Congress.
Last December, prior to taking office, South Carolina’s new governor, Nikki Haley, vowed to pick cabinet members who will help fight off attempts to unionize the Boeing Co.’s facility there.
Boeing is opening up a second 787 production line in North Charleston, S.C. The company also bought out the North Charleston operations of its 787 partners, Vought and Global Aeronautica.
Boeing picked the South Carolina site a year after its Machinists union staged a 57-day strike here in the Puget Sound region.
