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Democratic Candidates Back WMUR-TV Workers |
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There’s quite a gap between Republicans and Democrats when it comes to their support of working families. In the past few days, six Democratic candidates have stepped up to support workers at New Hampshire’s WMUR-TV, who have been struggling for years for a fair contract. Where are the Republicans?
In 2004, technical staff at WMUR-TV joined the Electrical Workers (IBEW). But station management still has not gone to the bargaining table to negotiate a first contract.
In this crucial early primary state, presidential candidates have a lot of clout. And WMUR-TV General Manager Jeff Bartlett has received letters from six Democratic presidential contenders: Sens. Joe Biden (Del.), Hillary Clinton (N.Y.), Chris Dodd (Conn.), former Sen. John Edwards (N.C.), Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) and Gov. Bill Richardson (N.M.).
You can see the letters these candidates sent on behalf of workers here: Biden, Clinton, Dodd, Edwards, Obama and Richardson.
All these candidates support workers’ freedom to form unions and bargain for a first contract. Getting a contract in a fair time frame is essential—for employees and for a healthy democracy. All these candidates agree that WMUR-TV’s technical staff has waited far too long to negotiate a first contract.
This attention to the needs of WMUR workers provides a stark contrast to the inactivity on the Republican side.
The struggle by the WMUR workers illustrates the need for the Employee Free Choice Act, which would level the playing field and allow for arbitration if agreement on a first contract is not reached. Right now, employers are not required to negotiate a contract. The Employee Free Choice Act passed the U.S. House in March but was blocked from a floor vote by Republicans in the U.S. Senate.
All the Democratic candidates for president support the Employee Free Choice Act. Last week, after several Democratic candidates refused to cross a picket line for a planned debate in the event of a strike at CBS, the Democratic National Committee canceled the debate.
On the Republican side, Rep. Ronald Paul (Texas) became the first presidential candidate to cross the picket line of the Writers Guild last week, when he appeared on ABC’s “The View.”
No Republican candidate has made a significant effort to support striking workers this year. Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) voted to block debate on the Employee Free Choice Act in the Senate, while Paul, Reps. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) and Tom Tancredo (R-Colo.) voted against the bill in the House. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R), former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) and former Sen. Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.) all have expressed opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R) has not taken a position on the issue.
Tell these candidates they should support the Employee Free Choice Act and the WMUR workers.
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