[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 111 (Tuesday, July 8, 2008)]
[House]
[Page H6202]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1930
      LEGISLATION TO REPEAL SECTION 14(b) OF THE TAFT-HARTLEY ACT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Sherman) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. SHERMAN. Madam Speaker, in about a week, I will introduce 
legislation to repeal the infamous section 14(b) of the Taft-Hartley 
Act and to rid this country once and for all of the so-called Right To 
Work statutes in 21 or 22 of our States.
  Now, section 14(b) of the 1947 Taft-Hartley Act allows States to pass 
the so-called Right To Work laws, which strip unions of the right to 
charge fees even when they negotiate the contract that the employee 
works under.
  Section 14(b) has been controversial from its inception. It was 
vetoed by President Truman. It became law only overriding that veto. 
What we have now is a network of different labor laws in different 
States that pits the workers in one State against another, that pits 
businesses in one State against another, that creates an unlevel 
playing field for businesses in one State as opposed to businesses in 
another State.
  So-called Right to Work is union busting. It is that simple. Right to 
Work strips unions of their ability to require payment for the contract 
negotiation that they do. It is designed to encourage free riders and 
to weaken and destroy unions.
  Every worker benefits from the union contract, but under so-called 
Right to Work laws, some pay absolutely nothing to the union that 
negotiates that contract. That encourages others to choose to pay 
nothing, and eventually the union unravels. That is exactly what has 
happened in the 22 so-called right-to-work States.
  Now, Right to Work States have significantly lower unionization rates 
than do other States. The unionization rate in my State of California 
is 18 percent; in New York, 26 percent; in Washington State, 21 
percent; in Wisconsin, 16 percent; in New Jersey and Michigan, 21 
percent. None of those States have so-called Right to Work statutes. In 
contrast, such right-to-work States such as Texas, Arkansas, Utah and 
Georgia, have only 6 percent unionization rates, and North Carolina, 
with its Right to Work laws, has an only 4 percent unionization rate.
  Now, it can be alleged that those who are in right-to-work States 
don't need unions. They enjoy great pay and great working conditions. 
Well, let's look at the facts. The average worker in a so-called Right 
to Work State makes $5,333 less per year than a worker in a free 
bargaining State. That is a comparison of $35,500 on the one hand, with 
$30,167 on the other. Some 21 percent more people lack health insurance 
in Right to Work States as compared with free bargaining States. And as 
for workplace and safety, workplace deaths are 51 percent higher in 
States with so-called Right to Work laws.
  It is time that we repeal section 14(b). It is time that we let 
unions organize and time that we allow workers who want to have a 
union, to enjoy that right.
  I serve as the Chair of the subcommittee of Foreign Affairs Committee 
with jurisdiction over trade issues, including the International Labor 
Organization. The ILO is the official international organization 
affiliated with the United Nations that sets labor standards. It is 
clear that our Right to Work laws violate international labor 
standards. The National Organization of Manufacturers acknowledged this 
just a few days ago when they pointed out that while Right to Work laws 
probably violate the ILO core conventions, we as a country have not 
ratified those core conventions. So a country that should be in the 
forefront of the world, in the forefront of human rights, civil rights 
and labor rights, has in 22 of its States laws that violate the ILO 
core convention.
  It is time for America to stand in the forefront of human rights, 
civil rights and labor rights. It is time to end so-called Right to 
Work.
  I urge my colleagues to contact me if they are interested in being 
original cosponsors of this legislation.

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