Republican presidential candidate and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker laid out a plan Monday that would make it illegal for federal workers to form unions and abolish the National Labor Relations Board in what would be the most radical change to labor laws in nearly a century.
Walker's proposal, which he described as being designed to bring "fairness and opportunity for all American workers," would make all workplaces right-to-work unless an individual state votes otherwise, meaning an individual could not be forced to join a union as a condition of employment, reports The Associated Press.
"I believe that fairness and opportunity for workers results from freedom. Freedom that allows workers and employers to create flexibility, choice, and innovation in the workplace. Unfortunately, many of the nation's federal labor laws and regulations have stood as a roadblock to fairness and opportunity, and instead have created rigid, top-down workplaces that don't really work for Americans," Walker said, according to the Washington Examiner.
His plan would largely resemble the union-busting policies he passed as governor of Wisconsin, where he proposed a plan to end collective bargaining for many public workers in the state. After getting the changes through the state legislature, Democrats and critics initiated a recall, and Walker prevailed, becoming the first governor in U.S. history to do so, according to Fox News.
"Just like President Reagan, I believe we need to drain the swamp in Washington, D.C.," Walker plans to say Monday at a town hall meeting in Las Vegas, according to CNN. "I have a plan to check the power of the big-government union bosses, empower individuals and protect taxpayers."
Walker hopes to end the union practice of deducting dues from public employees' paychecks to fund political activities and to require existing federal unions to disclose and certify what percentage of dues are spent on political activities. He would also require periodic union re-certification votes and federal law would be amended to prevent unions from retaliating against whistleblowers.
Some of his proposals would have to be passed by Congress, which he acknowledged could be difficult to do.
"Many - including the union bosses and the politicians they puppet - have long benefited from Washington rules that put the needs of special interests before needs of middle-class families," Walker said in a statement, according to Politico.
Walker wrote in an article for Hot Air: "As president, I will work with Congress to prohibit federal employee unions because it's the right thing for workers, taxpayers and the future of the American government. I have no illusions that this effort will be easy. Opponents will say that we're robbing federal workers of their rights and workplace protections. Nothing could be further from the truth. Total compensation for federal employees is already 30 to 40 percent higher than their civilian counterparts and they already enjoy strong workplace protections and high job security rates.
"The vast majority of federal workers do an outstanding job and deserve our appreciation and protection, which they will receive under a Walker administration. But taxpayers deserve the same thing. One of the ways I will achieve that is by removing the corrosive influence of federal unions from our government."
