by Mike Hall, Jul 2, 2007

More than 12,000 Delaware state workers will have collective bargaining rights when Gov. Ruth Ann Minner (D) signs legislation that won State Senate approval Friday. In March, Minner was the keynote speaker at AFSCME District Council 81’s annual convention, where she told union members she was waiting for a chance to sign the legislation.

The bill was passed by the Republican-controlled House, 26–10, with all 19 Democrats and seven Republicans backing the measure, turning back what Council 81 President Michael Begatto called “extreme opposition” by some GOP lawmakers. Several Republicans members did not vote.

Begatto says political mobilization by the state’s union members, who worked to elect worker-friendly candidates, paved the way for the victory.

Without the support and work on this bill our members gave, we would not have been successful…It’s a great step forward for the 12,000 merit system workers who have not had a seat at the table.

Currently, only about 2,500 state employees—mostly public safety workers—are allowed to bargain over salary and working conditions.

Says state Sen. Billy Oberle (R):

This gives labor a place at the table to discuss salaries, and also talk about safety and environmental concerns.

The victory is the latest in several wins this year for state workers as working families turn to state legislatures to boost workers’ rights. In June, the Oregon legislature passed, and Gov. Ted Kulongoski (D) signed, majority sign-up (card-check) legislation. In May, state workers won majority sign-up in New Hampshire. The Massachusetts House and Vermont House approved majority sign-up bills earlier this year, and final action is pending in both states.

Patterned on a key principle of the Employee Free Choice Act, majority sign-up allows workers to exercise their freedom to form a union when a majority sign union-authorization cards. Majority sign-up is faster than the government-run balloting process and leaves less time for employers to harass and intimidate workers from forming a union.

Says Oregon AFL-CIO President Tom Chamberlain:

Workers appreciate the freedom and choices granted by majority sign-up They still can have a traditional union election and secret ballot if they want one, but they also have the chance to have their union recognized when a majority of them have signed authorization forms.

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