Northeast Assembly Thread

[segwaystyle2012]

My reasons for introducing this are many but the core issue here is that public employee unions strangle our government to the breaking point and there growing power is a threat to our budget and fiscal sustainability.

Public jobs aren't meant to be cushy $150k a year for correctional offices anywhere this side of California, yet alone massive pensions and health benefits. It's out of control. Government jobs are much more insulated from market tension than private employment. The trade-off is job security vs. higher pay. Public jobs are more secure and currently pay more, which is extremely backward.

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It's not an out right ban on unions (Han, Gramps). This bill only affects unionization of government employees. What purpose do these unions serve? Government is not a corporation out to make a profit, and I already listed the trade off of public jobs vs. private.

Kalwejt, you're absolutely right. This isn't the 1800s. That fact there makes unions relatively pointless. Working conditions are fine; wages are fair.

Speaker, I think we might need to extend the debate period on this bill, for a period I will leave up to your more experienced discretion.

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I'm not opposed to Government employee unions as long as certian vital employees cannot strike.

The government employee unions do one good thing - they help ensure rank and file members don't get dismissed for something other than good cause, which can happen in a political environment.

In fact, government unions bother me less than private sector thugs like the teachers union and teamsters.

Teachers' unions are public employee unions, Gramps.

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I will accept Dallasfans amendment.

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How much longer of a debate period do you want?  The current vote is set for around 10PM Saturday.  Is Sunday afternoon sufficient?

Yeah sure but I want to make certain that everyone's concerns are able to be addressed because this is really our only chance to pass labor reform.

[segwaystyle2012]

I'm not opposed to Government employee unions as long as certian vital employees cannot strike.

The government employee unions do one good thing - they help ensure rank and file members don't get dismissed for something other than good cause, which can happen in a political environment.

In fact, government unions bother me less than private sector thugs like the teachers union and teamsters.

Teachers' unions are public employee unions, Gramps.

Not really, but I concede your point on a technicality.

Schools receive their funding from the government; they are not private and they are not operated for profit. I don't know what they would be considered if not public.

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Teachers' Unions Exposed

HERE

And the other unions are just as bad, of course.

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Kalwejt, I must respectfully ask that you take your legislative duties more seriously.

[segwaystyle2012]

Kalwejt, I must respectfully ask that you take your legislative duties more seriously.

We both should.

I have not throw insults in this thread and I have not posted any thing unrelated to the subject of debate. I don't think I have to change anything myself.

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I'm registered in a state called Maine, and that link provides info about something in Maine. Putting two and two together tells me you are wrong.

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Reading the Constitution is always a good idea, fwiw.

Can I get a link to the area of the Constitution relevant to this legislation, please?

[segwaystyle2012]

Reading the Constitution is always a good idea, fwiw.

Can I get a link to the area of the Constitution relevant to this legislation, please?

The Department of the Interior believes that literacy is important, so I'm afraid you'll have to find it for yourself, Motherwell. Though you might save yourself a few minutes if you look near the back.

If you are talking about this:

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We aren't saying they can't assemble, we are simply reserving our right to not enter contracts with the groups.

If you are talking about this:

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I'm not sure if this clause relates to regions since the only grounds given for excepting is "vital national interest." And, if it does apply, I can say that our Assembly has the right do this due to a "vital regional interest" that can be implied.

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Hahahaha. Nice try, but not nearly good enough.

That would be up to the Court, assuming this passes and gets challenged.

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Practical Labor Policy Act

The Northeast Government shall review and re-negotiate existing public employee contracts, benefits and pensions and work towards making more realistic and cost-effective contracts. The Northeast Government shall not enter into any contract that does not expire after a two-year period.

If a strike persists for one month, or if such a strike interferes with the ability of the Northeast Government to carry out its basic daily functions, the Northeast Government shall have the power to hire non-union replacements, either temporarily or permanently.


What do you guys think about this amendment?

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Gramps? cinyc? Han? Lt. Governor?

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^^^

If that is the case then I don't want to make us have to wait a whole month.

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^^^

If that is the case then I don't want to make us have to wait a whole month.

I mean, it also matters whether it is a ULP (unfair labor practice) strike or an economic (hours, wages and other terms/conditions of employment) strike. These sorts of nuances really need a full-blown labor policy.

This Assembly has written some pretty hefty pieces of legislation on random things. This sort of thing seems one of those things that especially deserves an intricate and lengthy law.

Is there any data or suggestions you have for us regarding this? I mean, we might as well use this opportunity to get things done right the first time.

[segwaystyle2012]

^^^

If that is the case then I don't want to make us have to wait a whole month.

I mean, it also matters whether it is a ULP (unfair labor practice) strike or an economic (hours, wages and other terms/conditions of employment) strike. These sorts of nuances really need a full-blown labor policy.

This Assembly has written some pretty hefty pieces of legislation on random things. This sort of thing seems one of those things that especially deserves an intricate and lengthy law.

Is there any data or suggestions you have for us regarding this? I mean, we might as well use this opportunity to get things done right the first time.

We should first vote on this bill, and then work to craft such legislation in private, as to not bog down the work of the Assembly. I'm in agreement, though, and would like to contribute if possible.

Well there isn't much in the queue though anyways.

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Seems like there's a lot gng on, so I will extend debate until 2:30PM tomorrow (Monday).

Can you clip summarize all pending legislation and when the votes will take place?

The current bill is the only thing we are currently working on, and voting will begin Monday.

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The Constitution could be read easier if it were all on a single wiki page, I don't have much patience to go through a gazillion windows for something largely based on the US Constitution and maintaining little relevance to the position I'm actually serving. I hope someone with a wiki account could actually adress this concern too.

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^^^^^

I would support that if you wrote up an amendment.

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Rep. segwaystyle, do you deem Rep. cinyc's amendments friendly?

With the exception of this "If a strike persists for one month, or if such a strike interferes with the ability of the Northeast Government to carry out its basic daily functions," yes.

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Nay

If this amendment fails I'd like the text to read:

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for clarity purposes.

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Aye

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Does Rep. segwaystyle seek to speak on behalf of the bill on the floor?

No.