9-01-06, 9:14 am

There are three cases currently pending at the Bush appointed National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) that together are often referred to as the 'Kentucky River' decisions because they will serve to clarify issues left open by the Supreme Court's Kentucky River decision in 2001. Generally, the decisions will affect the way the term 'supervisor' is interpreted by the Board. A broad interpretation of who is a 'supervisor' could allow employers to strip up to 8 million more workers from their right to belong to a union. The impact is likely to be particularly dramatic in the health care industry, in construction, and in other skilled occupations where it is common for higher skilled workers to direct the work of lower skilled employees.

From July 10 to July 20 in more than 20 cities, workers turned out by the thousands to demand that the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) protect their right to join a union. Workers from dozens of industries stood together to speak against pending Labor Board decisions. The Week of Action, organized by the AFL-CIO, included marches, rallies, and large-scale demonstrations at Labor Board offices and healthcare facilities. Jobs with Justice helped mobilize for rallies in cities across the country including Boston, Chicago, Buffalo, Eugene, and Seattle.

In Nashville, Central Tennessee JwJ organized a 200-person march and rally from the State Legislature to the NLRB. JwJ worked with the AFL-CIO State Fed, the CLC, The Teamsters, SEIU, Interfaith Worker Justice, and others to plan and mobilize for the rally. In Washington, DC, 1,500 workers participated in a large-scale march to shut down the National Labor Board offices. In an act of nonviolent civil disobedience, union activists, religious leaders, and community members linked arms and blocked traffic during lunch rush hour.

JwJ Coalitions are continuing to keep the pressure on to demand that workers' rights stay protected. Chicago Jobs with Justice organized a 300 person rally outside the Region 13 office of the NLRB on July 13. On August 8th, Chicago JwJ joined nurses from across the country to protest outside the American Hospital Association's offices in Chicago, promising to fight for the right to organize and patients' rights.

In Portland, JwJ joined a Governor Kulongoski and members of Congress at a 250 person rally at the regional NLRB office during the July week of action. On August 9th, more than 150 people participated in another spirited action at the NLRB. Participating were faith leaders, community leaders, and members of more than 20 unions, including AFT Healthcare NW, SEIU (49 and 503), Carpenters, Teamsters, and more. The action featured a skit starring 'President George Bush', who was there to introduce 'his boys' on the NLRB. After they were introduced, and loudly booed by the crowd, the NLRB members divided the crowd, calling every third worker a boss. These 'bosses' were then seperated from the rest of the workers and stripped of their pensions, health care, job security, and other things that they had won through their unions. After this dramatic interpretation of the meaning of the Kentucky River decsison, members of a delegation to meet with the local NLRB office reported on their conversation. During their visit,, the head of the Portland office, Cathy Callahan, agreed to forward protestors concerns to Washington, D.C.

JwJ is moving forward with a campaign to continue to fight the Board's decision. Stay tuned for more on how you can get involved!

From Jobs With Justice