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RIBCO
Articles of Interest
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2006-08-04
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Governor Fights Against Labor Rule Change |
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Posted: 1:42 PM, Aug. 2, 2006
By KTVZ.com news sources
Channel 21 News
PORTLAND - As the National Labor Relations Board considers a sweeping change in classification of supervisors, Governor Ted Kulongoski today praised Oregon Senator Smith for joining the Governor's effort to create open public hearings on this critical labor issue.
"Oregon has a critical shortage of nursing staff, and the proposed rules would make it much more difficult for our state to attract and retain skilled health care workers," said the Governor. "At a time when our state needs more nurses, we should not be weakening the core labor protections that workers across our country enjoy. I appreciate Senator Smith joining this important fight."
On July 13th, the Governor's office personally delivered a letter to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) urging public hearings on the following three cases: Oakwood Healthcare, Inc., Case 7-RC-22141; Golden Crest Healthcare Center, Cases 18-RC-16415 and 18-RC16416; and Croft Metals Inc., Case 15-RC-8393. These three cases - and 60 more to follow - could redefine skilled workers as "supervisors" and in doing so, strip 8 million Americans of their rights and protections under the National Labor Relations Act of 1935.
At stake is the ability of nurses, building trade workers, electricians, construction workers and many other skilled workers to organize collectively for health care, worker safety, living wages and much more.
"I've worked as a steelworker and bricklayer and know firsthand how important these worker protections are," said the Governor. "I will fight the National Labor Relations Board's efforts to squeeze nurses and other workers at a time when we're making real progress getting our state's economy back on track."
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