Tuesday, March 6, 2007

Support Dispute Resolution Process


House Bill 1630 by Representatives Adcock, Smith, and Chesterfield is pending in the House Committee on Public Health, Welfare, and Labor. It is a bill drafted and supported by AFSCME to allow public employees and government employers to settle grievances through alternative dispute resolution instead of hostile and expensive litigation. It is voluntary, and it makes good sense for everyone.

Who could oppose this simple and sensible legislation? The State Chamber of Commerce does. Their lobbyists are telling legislators that the bill is intended to repeal the state right-to-work-for-less laws and lead to easier organizing of unions in the public and private sector. We could only wish it did that, but we must confront the Chamber's misrepresentations with the plain truth of workplace justice for public employees.

Contact Representative Marilyn Edwards today and ask her to step up and support this legislation for the benefit of University of Arkansas employees.

UPDATE: Representative Edwards has committed to make the Do Pass motion for this legislation in the Committee. Send her a note thanking her for her support. Her email is edwardsm@arkleg.state.ar.us

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