In Harrisburg, unions protest opt out bill

    Pennsylvania’s unions are mobilizing against a bill that would end mandatory union dues for public employees.  Scott Detrow reports from the state Capitol.

    Teamsters packed the Capitol rotunda to oppose House Republican Daryl Metcalfe’s bill, which would let local and state public employees opt out of union membership.

    Butler County Teamsters leader Bob Snyder proposed turning the tables on Metcalfe.”62 thousand – divide that by his annual salary, and you come out to some place around two bucks,” said Snyder.  “So if you folks feel the same way, maybe today on your visits, ask for your two bucks back if you don’t want him to represent you any longer. That and the 30 other co-sponors of this nonsense.”

    Metcalfe says the union opposition proves his point.

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    “Trying to protect their six-figure salaries, trying to keep from being held accountable by their own membership. Because they believe that the only way to be – hold onto their power is to actually have the government be their enforcer,” said Metcalfe.

    Similar bills have been introduced in the past by Metcalfe and others, but have never cleared both the House and Senate.

    Governor Corbett says he’s sign a right-to-work bill into law, but he opposes eliminating public unions’ collective bargaining rights, like Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker did earlier this year.

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