Delaware Latest State to Grant State Employees Bargaining Rights

by Mike Hall, AFL-CIO (reposted)

Mon, Jul 2, 2007 6:55PM

Monday, July 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.

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For more information: http://blog.aflcio.org/2007/07/02/delaware...

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