Tennessee: Public Employees Union has Collective Bargaining in Sights
According to the Chattanooga Times Free Press:
The union that represents Tennessee's public employees will be watching for state legislation that would allow local government employees to bargain collectively, a spokesman said.
"We're sort of resolved that if a bill does present itself, we're absolutely going to be pushing for it," said Mark Naccarato, political and communications coordinator for the Nashville-based Service Employees International Union Local 205.
Last month, Hamilton County Mayor Claude Ramsey told members of the county's state legislative delegation that he opposes mandatory collective bargaining. Several commissioners said they agreed with Mr. Ramsey's position.
But County Commissioner Warren Mackey took issue with Mr. Ramsey's stance, calling the ability to bargain collectively "a fundamental right."
Tennessee law bars local government employees from engaging in collective bargaining.
State Rep. Gerald McCormick, R-Chattanooga, has said it is possible collective bargaining could come up during this year's session, but he said he would oppose any measure that would allow it. Rep. Tommie Brown, D-Chattanooga, has said she would support a collective bargaining measure...click to continue.
