George Allen for United States Senate
It was great to see such a tremendous response to our “Ask George Allen” page, thank you for your questions! I’m sorry I can’t get to every one of them, but please keep them coming by submitting them here: I’ll try to answer as many as I can in the coming weeks! Click on the link below to see my answers to this week’s questions.
Advancing a new freedom-to-work agenda for America
The Washington Examiner
By George Allen
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Our Right-to-Work law is one of Virginia’s foundational strengths and competitive advantages. The laws that protect workplace Freedom have made Virginia one of the best places to start or grow a business, but not everyone sees things as we do.
This is especially true in Washington. Rather than recognizing the fact that Right-to-Work laws are good for everyone, President Obama’s administration and his allies seem bent on destroying them.
As I travel around Virginia, I am constantly reminded of the importance of our freedom to work. Virginians remind me about the companies that have relocated to or expanded in Virginia since we declared that “Virginia is Open for Business!” in 1994.
Others recall those 50,000 Virginians who have left the welfare rolls to find gainful employment. I often wonder how successful our economic development and ground-breaking welfare reform efforts would have been in a less job-friendly state.
These are not abstract concepts. These are real jobs created because Virginia respects and protects our Right to Work.
Through executive fiat and the intrusive action of the National Labor Relation Board (NLRB), the Obama administration and their congressional and big labor allies are waging war on private employers under the guise of protecting workers.
They believe that more regulation and government control will protect jobs, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Businesses create jobs when entrepreneurs believe that their anticipated return on investment outweighs the risks.
Over-regulation creates uncertainty and additional risk, which in turn stifles investment and diminishes job opportunities.
The threat to Virginia’s jobs from Washington is real, and it must be checked. From the President’s job-killing monstrous health-care dictates to his gigantic $1.5 trillion tax increase proposal and Executive Orders, bureaucracy and lawsuits trying to tell Boeing where it can build a business, the opponents of our freedom to work are seriously threatening.
That is why I have created a three-part Freedom to Work agenda that will 1) help America’s businesses create jobs; 2) save taxpayers money; and 3) protect the liberty of working men and women.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 6, 2011
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
Advancing a new freedom-to-work agenda for America
From The Washington Examiner
By George Allen
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Our Right-to-Work law is one of Virginia’s foundational strengths and competitive advantages. The laws that protect workplace Freedom have made Virginia one of the best places to start or grow a business, but not everyone sees things as we do.
This is especially true in Washington. Rather than recognizing the fact that Right-to-Work laws are good for everyone, President Obama’s administration and his allies seem bent on destroying them.
As I travel around Virginia, I am constantly reminded of the importance of our freedom to work. Virginians remind me about the companies that have relocated to or expanded in Virginia since we declared that “Virginia is Open for Business!” in 1994.
Others recall those 50,000 Virginians who have left the welfare rolls to find gainful employment. I often wonder how successful our economic development and ground-breaking welfare reform efforts would have been in a less job-friendly state.
These are not abstract concepts. These are real jobs created because Virginia respects and protects our Right to Work.
Through executive fiat and the intrusive action of the National Labor Relation Board (NLRB), the Obama administration and their congressional and big labor allies are waging war on private employers under the guise of protecting workers.
They believe that more regulation and government control will protect jobs, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Businesses create jobs when entrepreneurs believe that their anticipated return on investment outweighs the risks.
Over-regulation creates uncertainty and additional risk, which in turn stifles investment and diminishes job opportunities.
The threat to Virginia’s jobs from Washington is real, and it must be checked. From the President’s job-killing monstrous health-care dictates to his gigantic $1.5 trillion tax increase proposal and Executive Orders, bureaucracy and lawsuits trying to tell Boeing where it can build a business, the opponents of our freedom to work are seriously threatening.
That is why I have created a three-part Freedom to Work agenda that will 1) help America’s businesses create jobs; 2) save taxpayers money; and 3) protect the liberty of working men and women.
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I’ll be speaking with Rick & Jane at 8:50 am on 1070 AM WINA Charlottesville about my new three-part Freedom to Work agenda which will ensure America’s businesses have every possible tool to create jobs. Click here to listen.
It was wonderful to be back at Dynax America Corporation this afternoon to unveil my Freedom to Work Agenda. This is a company that I spent much time recruiting to Virginia. The decision by Dynax to locate in Virginia highlighted the criteria that made Virginia “Open for Business” including our Right-to-Work laws, educated workforce, locational advantages, and strong, pro-growth climate. It is so heartening to see that Dynax is thriving and growing in the Roanoke Valley of Virginia.
Allen to unveil “Freedom to Work Act”
Richmond Times Dispatch
By Wesley Hester
October 5, 2011
Republican U.S. Senate candidate George Allen will today roll out his “Freedom to Work Act,” a three-pronged blueprint to free U.S. businesses of what he sees as onerous burdens imposed by the federal government.
Allen will unveil his plan at Botetourt County-based Dynax America Corp., a Japanese subsidiary that manufactures parts for automotive transmissions. Allen recruited the business to the state as governor in 1996.
The goals of the plan, Allen said Tuesday in an interview with The Times-Dispatch, are to “help businesses create jobs, save the taxpayers money and protect the liberty of working men and working women.”
The first tenet of the plan, “Freedom of Movement,” would strip the National Labor Relations Board of the power to order any employer to move, shut down, or transfer employment.
The proposal is aimed at the NLRB’s lawsuit against Boeing alleging that the aircraft company illegally shifted work from union plants in Washington state to a new non-union factory in South Carolina.
Allen called it “just a terrible lawsuit,” adding, “And that’s a threat to Virginia as well, being the furthest state north on the Eastern seaboard with a right-to-work law,” which he said is an enormous asset in attracting companies such as Dynax.
Allen’s plan would also seek to prohibit project labor agreement requirements on federal and federally assisted construction contracts, and repeal Davis-Bacon wage laws, which require that federal government construction contract workers be paid no less than the locally prevailing wages and benefits on similar projects.
In Botetourt, Allen outlines plan targeting labor union rules
Roanoke Times
By Katelyn Polantz
October 5, 2011
Gov. George Allen, who is seeking the Republican nomination to run for the U.S. Senate in 2012, announced a plan today to amend federal labor laws to prohibit compulsory union membership.
Allen, as part of a campaign stop at a Botetourt County auto parts plant, described his “Freedom to Work Act” agenda as one that will create jobs, save taxpayers money and “protect the liberty of working men and women.”
The former governor and one-term U.S. senator pushed three key ideas today:
Freedom of movement. Allen called for amending federal law to prohibit the National Labor Relations Board from ordering any employer to move, close or shut down equipment. It’s in response to the NLRB’s complaint filed against Boeing Co. that the airline manufacturer was transferring an assembly line from Washington state to South Carolina to punish union workers. A similar bill has been proposed by House Republicans.
Freedom to contract. Allen wants to reverse an executive order that requires Project Labor Agreement rules on federal and federally assisted construction contracts. Such agreements generally require unionized workers and union work rules.
Freedom of association. Aside from bringing Virginia’s right to work law to the federal level, Allen wants to mandate secret ballots for union organizing votes.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 5, 2011
George Allen Unveils “Freedom To Work” Agenda
Henrico, VA –George Allen unveiled today, at Dynax America Corporation in Botetourt County, his new three-part “Freedom to Work” agenda to help businesses create jobs, save taxpayers money, and protect the liberty of every working man and woman in the Commonwealth.
Dynax Corporation was recruited and brought to Virginia in 1996 by then-Governor George Allen. The decision by Dynax to locate in Virginia highlighted the criteria that made Virginia “Open for Business” including our Right-to-Work laws, educated workforce, locational advantages, and strong, pro-growth climate.
“As Governor, I saw first-hand how our Right-to-Work law gives Virginia a crucial competitive economic advantage in encouraging investment and attracting new jobs to our Commonwealth. But today, through executive fiat and government intrusion, this Administration is waging war on private employers under the guise of protecting workers,” said George Allen. “With almost 14 million Americans out of work and many more who are underemployed, Washington is making it harder for job creators to expand and hire new workers while displaying open hostility to the Right-to-Work tradition and the laws in effect in 22 States, including Virginia.”
George Allen’s “Freedom to Work” agenda is made up of three major components: The Freedom of Movement, the Freedom to Contract, and the Freedom of Association.
“The threat to Virginia’s jobs from Washington is real and we must do everything we can to protect our competitive advantage for the creation of jobs and our economy,” continued Allen. “My three part ‘Freedom to Work’ agenda will work to unite Virginians and all Americans to help create more job opportunities, save the taxpayers money and advance liberty for all working men and women.”
The Freedom to Work Act complements George Allen’s Blueprint for America’s Comeback to further make sure America’s businesses have available every possible tool to create jobs.
For more details on the Freedom to Work Agenda click here: http://www.georgeallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Freedom-to-Work-10-5-11.pdf
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The NLRB’s baseless lawsuit against Boeing is an assault on the freedom of movement of every American & undermines the competitive advantage of all Right-to-Work States, including Virginia. The NLRB has no justifiable reason to impede a company from hiring employees & operating in a Right-to-Work State. The Senate should pass this legislation quickly to prevent this from happening in the future & protect Virginia’s Right-to-Work law.
Senate Targets NLRB in spending bill
Politico
By David Rogers
September 20, 2011
Building on last week’s House vote, Republicans are now targeting the National Labor Relations Board budget in the Senate, hoping to win over two Democrats and attach a rider barring the agency from pursuing any order threatening Boeing’s new non-union 787 production line in South Carolina.
Given the stakes and narrow 16-14 Democratic majority in the Senate Appropriations Committee, labor is clearly anxious and mounted a last push Tuesday evening to secure its support before the scheduled committee meeting Wednesday.
Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), a member of the panel, told POLITICO that he is now “leaning toward” the GOP amendment but had yet to make a firm commitment. Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), a second member and often a swing vote for Republicans, insisted he had no firm opinion on the issue. “It is a case of new impressions,” Nelson said.
As drafted by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), the amendment is clearly aimed at the Boeing case but written in such a generic fashion that it would impact the NLRB’s powers in other instances when employers are shown to have moved work from one facility to another to retaliate again workers for lawful union activities.
Boeing says now that it built the new facility in South Carolina for unrelated cost reasons, but the Chicago-based company is haunted by past public comments by its executives expressing concern over strikes and walkouts by unionized machinists working in the Seattle area. The record is such that the NLRB’s counsel found that Boeing’s decision to locate in South Carolina –a right-to-work state—constituted illegal retaliation against its union workers, and with 1,100 jobs at stake, the issue has become a cause célèbre, especially in the Southeast, against the labor board.
I applaud the work of Congressman Tim Scott, Congressman Robert Hurt and the Republican Leadership in the House for taking action to stop the NLRB’s baseless lawsuit against Boeing. This lawsuit not only destroys jobs in South Carolina, it undermines the competitive economic advantage of Virginia and all Right-to-Work States. The NLRB has no justifiable reason to impede a company from hiring employees and operating in a Right-to-Work State, and at its core, this is an assault on the freedom of movement of all Americans. As a matter of individual liberty, no man or women should be forced to join a union and pay as much as $700 in yearly dues or fees as a precondition to having a job. Virginia’s Right-to-Work law is a foundational strength of our State’s economy and I will fight to ensure it is preserved.
POLITICO: House rebukes NLRB on Boeing
By Seung Min Kim
September 15, 2011
The GOP-led House on Thursday launched a full-scale assault against the National Labor Relations Board – the first step in their fall goal of rolling back regulations that they say hamper job growth.
The chamber voted 238-186 on a bill that bars the NLRB from forcing businesses to close or relocate jobs — a direct rebuke of a recent decision by the board to block Boeing from moving a plant to South Carolina. The legislation likely doesn’t have much of a future in the Democratic-controlled Senate, although Republicans in the upper chamber have pushed for action on the matter.
“The NLRB has plenty of tools at its disposal to protect workers and hold employers accountable for unlawful labor practices,” said Rep. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), who sponsored the bill. “There is simply no reason it should have the power to dictate where a private business can establish its workforce.”
The dispute – which has become a cause célèbre among conservatives — stems from Boeing’s opening of a $1 billion non-union plant in South Carolina, following union strikes that disrupted production of the 787 Dreamliner aircraft in Washington state. The labor board argues that Boeing’s actions were in retaliation against the strikes and a violation of labor laws.
Boeing has argued that shuttering the South Carolina facility would eliminate 1,000 jobs.
The federal bureaucracy must stop this arrogant, costly and wrong infringement on freedom of movement in America. This is an attack on people in all Right-to-Work States, including opportunities in Virginia. I know from recruiting businesses to Virginia that our Right-to-Work law is a foundational strength, giving us a significant competitive advantage in the expansion of jobs and investment.
NLRB v. Boeing – and jobs
The Chicago Tribune
Editorial
September 6, 2011
You have to wonder about a federal agency that sticks it to an American manufacturer creating thousands of good-paying jobs inside the nation’s borders instead of overseas.
Fortunately, we hope, you won’t have to wonder about it for long. We suspect the end is near for the brief reign of an overbearing pro-union majority on the National Labor Relations Board. That should help to lift an economy in dire need of job creation. It also should lift Chicago’s Boeing Corp., the manufacturer targeted in an outrageous NLRB complaint earlier this year.
With little fanfare, board Chair Wilma Liebman left the agency after her term expired Aug. 27. President Barack Obama’s recess appointment of another board member, labor lawyer Craig Becker, runs out Dec. 31. Combined with a long-standing vacancy, those departures would leave just two of the board’s five seats occupied. So in the absence of any new appointments — which Republicans have vowed to block — the board will fall short of a quorum.
Good.
Don’t get us wrong, the NLRB has important work to do. It investigates unfair labor practices and monitors union elections. Trouble is, the agency swerved left after the Obama administration stacked the board in favor of unions. Better to temporarily deactivate the board than to keep it going in its current direction.
The board has angered employers by pushing new rules that would make it much easier for workers to form unions. We’ve previously taken note of the agency’s invasive approach to over-regulating social media use in the workplace as well. Just before Liebman’s exit, the NLRB took the legally dubious step of requiring private-sector employers to post notices that inform workers of their right to unionize.
The NLRB’s worst decision, however, is its unprovoked hit-job on Boeing.
The aircraft maker deserved nationwide applause for opening a new 787 Dreamliner assembly plant outside Charleston, S.C. The move ensured that thousands of jobs would stay in the U.S. for years to come. And the timing — in the teeth of a terrible recession — cast a vote of confidence at a time when other companies were reluctant to invest and grow.
Today, the WSJ highlighted the implications of Chairman Kaine’s refusal to condemn the NLRB’s lawsuit against Boeing, writing “few voters will countenance a policy of punishing business for building plants and creating jobs in their states.” As the White House opposes any efforts to rein in the NLRB, will Kaine continue to stand with the SEIU union bosses and his Washington allies over Virginia’s Right-To-Work laws?
The White House vs. Boeing
The Wall Street Journal
July 28, 2011
Teenagers in the 1960s listened to Beatles records backwards in search of hidden meanings—a trick akin to the task of deciphering President Obama’s statements on the battle between Boeing and the National Labor Relations Board. Since the NLRB sued the airplane company in April to prevent it from building a new plant in South Carolina, Mr. Obama’s position has alternated between silent and incomprehensible.
At a press conference in June, the mellifluous one said he felt that “as a general proposition, companies need to have the freedom to relocate.” In case anyone mistook that as a full-throated defense of a business’s right to expand its operations and hire workers in any state it likes, Mr. Obama also emphasized that the NLRB is an “independent” agency and that the issue is being decided by a judge.
Finally on Tuesday, we got the straight story. In a formal statement of Administration policy, the White House opposed a bill sponsored by South Carolina Rep. Tim Scott that would reduce the power of the NLRB and prohibit it “from ordering any employer to relocate, shut down, or transfer employment under any circumstance.” Translation: Mr. Obama intends to guard the NLRB for his union allies, but if no one notices, all the better.
In opposing the bill, the White House says “The [National Labor Relations Act] does not restrict the location of company operations, provided companies comply with the law.” But companies don’t live in this land of hypotheticals. The NLRB lawsuit is an explicit attempt to block Boeing from opening its new South Carolina factory, and either the Administration believes the NLRB is appropriately enforcing the law, or it believes the NLRB has exceeded its mandate and needs to be reined in. Now we know it’s on the side of the NLRB, which is run by Mr. Obama’s appointees.
