Georgians Win Fight for Constitutional and Worker Rights
by Clyde Weiss | April 04, 2012
The collective voices of thousands of AFSCME and other union members and supporters have – at least for now – defeated legislation in Georgia that would have undermined union strength and free speech rights.
Last week, the state General Assembly ended its yearly session without passing SB 469, a bill that was as a direct assault on the right of individuals to peacefully protest. Specifically, it would have imposed a $1,000 fine on people who picketed “at or near” private homes (such as those of corporate executives). Its aim: Silence the voices of union members who take a public stand for their rights.
The bill also would have diluted union strength and solidarity by preventing employers from deducting dues without the written authorization of each employee, annually, to do so. That onerous requirement, which we call “paycheck deception” because it can weaken collective bargaining, was taken directly from the playbook of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). The corporate-backed organization is at the forefront of efforts to destroy unions. In fact, four senators who sponsored the legislation are members of the organization.
Determined to defeat this unconstitutional measure, more than 2,000 people, including members of AFSCME and other unions, and their allies, demonstrated at the state Capitol on March 17 to lobby their lawmakers. The state AFL-CIO submitted 900 letters opposing SB 469. They also presented legislators with a petition signed by more than 10,000 people.
So harmful was this measure that even members of the tea party opposed it.
Although the Senate approved the bill, the House adjourned without taking action, effectively killing it for the year.
The bill’s defeat is a testament to the efforts of AFSCME members and others who made phone calls, sent e-mails, posted Facebook messages, rallied and personally lobbied their lawmakers. As a bipartisan coalition, they sent a message that will resonate not only in Georgia but also in any other state where worker rights are threatened.
