[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 86 (Tuesday, May 23, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1097]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E1097]]

            THE RIGHTS OF AMERICAN LABOR SHOULD BE RESPECTED

                                 ______


                         HON. WILLIAM J. COYNE

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 23, 1995
  Mr. COYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to state my strong opposition to 
efforts now being made by the Republican Majority to weaken U.S. laws 
that protect the rights of American workers.
  The United States has a proud labor history based on independent 
unions and the progress achieved in the living standards of working 
class American families reflects this history. America's unions have 
played a central role in guaranteeing that workers in our country 
participate in the benefits of economic growth. American labor 
struggled for decades to ensure that the rights of working men and 
women were respected by employers and public officials responsible for 
making and enforcing our Nation's laws.
  U.S. labor laws benefit all working families, regardless of whether 
they may participate in a collective bargaining organization. Landmark 
legislation enacted in the 1930's established a minimum wage and the 
40-hour week, protected our Nation's children from dangerous and 
exploitative working conditions, and guaranteed the rights of Americans 
to bargain collectively. Tragically, Americans labor laws are currently 
under attack by the new Republican majority in the House.
  Republican Leaders in the House have proposed to revise or eliminate 
legal rights established as long as six decades ago. Rights taken for 
granted by most Americans are now in jeopardy. House Majority Leader 
Richard Armey has stated that he not only opposed any increase in the 
minimum wage but would instead advocate the repeal of this historic 
U.S. labor law.
  One clear attempt to have Congress retreat from the labor rights 
protected currently by U.S. law is H.R. 743, the Team Act. This bill 
would amend the National Labor Relations Act to permit employers to 
establish company labor organizations that would effectively complete 
with independent unions. H.R. 743 would overturn existing law which 
prohibits employers from establishing management-controlled worker 
groups to oversee workplace issue. The intent of this legislation is to 
set aside National Labor Relations Board ruling that have prevented 
nonunion employers from using sham company unions to discourage the 
organization of independent collective bargaining units.
  I believe that the House must reject the Team Act and any other 
similar legislation that would undermine the rights of American workers 
to unionize. The National Labor Relations Act has succeeded in 
promoting fair and open negotiation between labor and management over 
workplace issues important to both parties. Abandoning the principles 
of this landmark legislation is wrong.
  Another example of an attack on labor is the plan to repeal the 
Davis-Bacon Act that benefits all American communities by ensuring that 
federally funded construction projects are built by construction 
companies employing skilled and experienced workers. Davis-Bacon denies 
unscrupulous fly-by-night operators an opportunity to undercut local 
wages. Davis-Bacon has also saved taxpayers money by ensuring that 
qualified companies are used to complete Federal construction projects 
on-time and on-budget.
  Without Davis-Bacon, more than a half million American construction 
workers will see their wages pushed down by fly-by-night contractors. 
Legitimate companies will be put under pressure to pay substandard 
wages. Federal income tax receipts would also be reduced by at least $1 
billion a year if Davis-Bacon were repealed.
  The results of Davis-Bacon repeal can be observed at the State level. 
The nine States that have repealed State prevailing wage laws have been 
construction wages fall and State treasuries have lost substantial 
income and sale tax revenues. In Utah, the size of cost overruns on 
State road construction tripled. The use of less skilled and less 
experienced construction workers has also led to an increase in the 
number of injuries and fatalities in the workplace.
  A repeal of the Davis-Bacon Act is simply a bad idea. Any imagined 
benefit of a Davis-Bacon repeal is far outweighed by the costs in 
dollars and in the lives of American workers. I urge my colleagues in 
the House to just say no to the repeal of the Davis-Bacon Act.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe that each Member of the House should let their 
constituents know where they stand on the issue of protecting the legal 
rights of American working men and women. I hope my colleagues will 
join with me in fighting to ensure that the U.S. House of 
Representatives respects the right of American labor.


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