[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 38 (Monday, March 30, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E518]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         FAIRNESS FOR SMALL BUSINESS AND EMPLOYEES ACT OF 1998

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                               speech of

                         HON. ROBERT E. ANDREWS

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 26, 1998

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 3246) to 
     assist small businesses and labor organizations in defending 
     themselves against government bureaucracy; to ensure that 
     employees entitled to reinstatement get their jobs back 
     quickly; to protect the right of employers to have a hearing 
     to present their case in certain representation cases; and to 
     prevent the use of the National Labor Relations Act for the 
     purpose of disrupting or inflicting economic harm on 
     employers:

  Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Chairman, this list will be used to keep these 
troublemakers from interfering with the operations of companies and 
businesses throughout the country. The problem is, however, these 
troublemakers are not troublemakers at all. On this list will be 
working men and women who are no different from the tens of millions of 
working Americans who have chosen to exercise their right to organize.
  This bill, therefore, affects not only the ``undercover union agent'' 
whom the proponents of this bill fear so much. It affects all working 
Americans by encouraging potential employers to make unsupported, 
unjustified, and unfair decisions about whom to hire. We as lawmakers 
have done much to ensure that the hiring of workers is done in a non-
discriminatory and fair manner. By passing this bill, we will undo that 
progress and prompt a return to practices of unwarranted retribution 
and illegitimate blacklisting.
  Mr. Chairman, I oppose the bill and urge my colleagues to join me in 
opposition.

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