GOP: LET'S GIVE COUNTIES MORE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AUTHORITY

but Democrats ice-box civil service reform bill

House Republicans, led by their representatives on the Labor Committee including Rep. Mark Moses, released the following statement:

Today, House Republicans pulled to the floor a measure to help the University, hospitals, and the counties bargain collectively their contracts independent of the State. Except for Rep. Ed Case, who joined the Republicans, Democrats quickly showed their opposition to meaningful civil service reform by ramming the bill back to committee.

Responding to the Democrat action, Rep. Cynthia Thielen remarked, "If there are flaws in the bill, they can always be fixed in the Senate or in Conference. This recommital is to further ice-box any attempt at civil service reform." Rep. Moses added, "At least the public knows, loud and clear, just where each House member stands on civil service reform."

Our bill would have helped the people living in each county. At present, the Governor has the votes to control every county collective bargaining agreement. Republicans would have instead allowed each county to negotiate its own collective bargaining settlement, saving money and protecting county differences..

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