Senate Cloture Rule Used by GOP to Union-Bust

The Senate is where good bills go to die. This isn’t because of one or two bad senators. It is systemic.

The
Senate’s arcane and obstructionist cloture rule requires a body already
designed to protect the interests of a minority (Wyoming has 1/60 the
population of New York, but its two Senators have equal voting power to
New York’s two senators), to then have a supermajority to end debate
and move to a vote that still only requires a simple majority. This is
not in the Constitution. It is not a law. It is a ridiculous rule that senators, in their deference to tradition, adopt, Congress after
Congress.

We are well-aware what the Senate cloture rule meant to health care reform.

Now the rule is being imposed by Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) to delay the appointment of Erroll Southers to head the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), largely out of fear that Erroll supports re-designating airport baggage handlers and screeners so they may organize a union and collectively bargain. A similar hold is also stalling the appointment of President Obama’s nominee for Comptroller General in the Department of Labor.

TSA workers’ rights have been controversial since this position was first created in the aftermath of September 11, 2001. Congress at that time disallowed baggage handlers and screeners to unionize claiming that they needed flexibility in making quick changes in response to terrorist threats. Shortly thereafter, the rules were loosened to allow organizing, but not collectively bargaining. However, during the campaign, Obama promised he would change this and permit baggage handlers and screeners the rights to collectively organize and bargain – the full rights of workers.

Senator DeMint humbly explained his reasons for the hold – he simply wants debate and a recorded vote on the appointment. But what DeMint effectively did was set the wheels in motion so that Republicans can block the appointment with a cloture vote.

DeMint claims this is about security, that unionizing will prevent the effective operations of security, that there are union bosses lurking in the shadows willing to risk national security for their own gain.

It is ridiculous speculation, but get ready for the outcry you’ll hear on TV – especially in light of the attempted underpants bomb attack on Christmas.

I would argue the contrary – that allowing baggage handlers and screeners to unionize will better protect us. Think about Sully Sullenberger, the union pilot who landed his jet in the Hudson River last winter, saving all 155 people aboard. The guy is obviously a master pilot, but he also benefited from decades of experience and training. After the miracle on the Hudson, Sullenberger testified before Congress about the terrible safety consequences of downgrading the profession.

Also, recall the two security officers who took down the Fort Hood shooter – they were members of the American Federation of Government Employees, the union which would represent the TSA workers.   

What about those heroes who rescued an American shipping vessel from pirates last summer?  Members of the Mariners union.

My experience with unions is that being organized increases safety and quality. People hear union and think it’s all about the money. But if you’ve ever looked at a union contract you’ll see a massive amount of language dedicated to working conditions – that includes hours of work, schedules of breaks and time off, ongoing training opportunities, and minimum safety measures.

Besides, have you noticed how overworked and tired TSA workers look when you travel through an airport? Honestly, I’d love for a union to get in there and start demanding better training, reasonable working conditions and salaries for this job.

To learn more, visit:  tsa.afge.org 

Tracy
Kurowski is currently AFL-CIO Community Services Liaison at the United
Way of the Quad City Area. She has been active in the labor movement
for ten years, first as a member of AFSCME 3506, when she taught adult
education classes at the City Colleges of Chicago. She moved to the
Quad Cities in 2007 where she worked as political coordinator with the
Quad City Federation of Labor, and as a caseworker for Congressman
Bruce Braley from 2007 – 2009.

Tracy Kurowski writes a labor update every Monday on Blog for Iowa