2018 End of Legislative Session Recap from AFT-NH

AFT-New Hampshire President Doug Ley has posted an end-of-session look-back at significant education and labor legislation considered by the state legislature in 2018. Of special note, Senate Bill 193, which would have authorized redirecting taxpayer dollars earmarked for funding public education as “grants” (i.e., vouchers) to private households to pay for private school tuition or homeschooling costs, was finally put on the shelf after Senate members attempted to resurrect the bill after a bi-partisan majority of House members voted to send the bill to interim study (and voted again to keep it there). Senate Bill 193, described as the most radical school voucher bill to be introduced by any state legislature in the United States, was supported by Governor Chris Sununu. This wrong-headed and harmful bill deserved to be stopped in its tracks, and fortunately, it was.

On a less upbeat note, Senate Bill 318, a watered-down version of a bill that expands the maximum number of hours 16-and-17-year-old students are permitted to work during the school week and makes it harder for the Department of Labor to investigate suspected violations of youth employment regulations, was passed on the recommendation of a conference committee dominated by legislators with ties to the restaurant and hospitality industry. New Hampshire AFL-CIO actively fought the passage of the bill and similar 2018 bills to weaken wage & hour protections for teen employees.

Read more about these and other legislative developments on the AFT-NH web site.

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Honor Our Sister Linda Horan by Contributing to the NH AFL-CIO Scholarship Fund!

 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION!

It’s that time of year again! It’s time to honor our Sister Linda Horan by contributing to the Scholarship program that proudly bares her name! There is still time to donate!

In honor of our Sister’s lifelong struggle to support workers rights, both Union and non-union. All contributions to the Linda Horan Scholarship Fund are fully tax deductible. This is a great way to help the next generation of activists have a leg up in obtaining the education they deserve!

Your Tax Deductible Contributions should be sent to:
NH AFL-CIO
Attn: EAP Services
PO Box 801
Enfield, NH 03748

Contributions to the NH AFL-CIO Linda Horan Scholarship Fund are tax deductible and checks should be made out to:

NH AFL-CIO EAP Services

 

Please write “Linda Horan Scholarship Fund” in the memo line of your check.

As the scholarship fund grows through member donations, we hope to increase the amount and the number of scholarships we are able to award. Contributions to the Scholarship Fund will allow the NH AFL-CIO to assist in shaping the future by providing educational opportunities for eligible scholarship applicants. Through your contribution to NH AFL-CIO EAP Services, you will be advancing the educational opportunities of our future leaders by assisting them to pursue higher education, while at the same time, honoring our beloved labor warrior, Sister Linda Horan.

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New Hampshire Working Families Deal So-Called “Right-to-Work” Legislation Its First Blow

New Hampshire Working Families Deal So-Called “Right-to-Work” 
Legislation Its First Blow In House Labor Committee Vote
 
 
Today, New Hampshire working families from across the Granite State stood together to protect workers from legislation that would have lowered their wages and exposed them to more dangerous work environments. The New Hampshire AFL-CIO would like to thank the 14 (ITL: 14/OTP: 7) members of the Committee that voted to defeat both the House and Senate versions of this deceptive “Right-to-Work” Legislation. Your support is not only appreciated but essential to defending our state against this anti-worker legislation.
 
 

Following today’s public hearing in the New Hampshire House of Representatives’ Labor Committee, New Hampshire labor leaders spoke out on the ant-worker legislation.

Glenn Brackett, President of the New Hampshire AFL-CIO: “The New Hampshire AFL-CIO was proud to stand with hundreds of working people across the state who are fighting to protect their rights at work. This legislation is an attack on working families by out-of-state special interests seeking to lower wages for everyone and undermine worker protections. The proponents of this legislation are playing politics with the future of our workforce, and New Hampshire working families deserve better.”

Richard Gulla, President of SEA/SEIU Local Union 1984: “So-called right to work has no place in the Granite State, and I’m proud we were able to pack this hall today with those who agree. Both of these bills are tired, recycled legislation that does nothing for the real problems facing our state. We need the House to reject these bills so we can get down to working together on legislation that helps – not hurts – New Hampshire families.”

Sarah Hirsch, President of the University of New Hampshire Lecturers Union: “The families of New Hampshire want the college students to be solidly prepared and ready to enter good careers. To do this, the faculty who teach and mentor them need to be protected, have job stability and security, good benefits, and a say in their working conditions!  Weakening unions ultimately weakens higher education, undercutting the development of a skilled workforce for New Hampshire at a time when we need more competitive workers in the state.”  

Frank Moroney, Executive Director AFSCME Council 93: “It’s a powerful statement that a majority of legislators, both Democrats and Republicans, voted against so-called “Right to Work” today. They stood together because they know protecting our right to speak up together on the job shouldn’t be a partisan issue. Right to Work would hurt working families across the Granite State, and we’ll continue to fight against this legislation as it moves to the House floor.”

Dennis Caza, President of Teamsters Local Union 633: “Today, hundreds of our brothers and sisters stood in Solidarity to defend the rights of New Hampshire’s workers. We hope that we have sent a message to the legislature that so-called “Right-to-Work” is not the solution that New Hampshire working families need. In the coming days, we urge workers in every industry across the state to contact their legislators and let them know that this so-called “Right-to-Work” legislation is wrong for New Hampshire.”

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NH Students Deserve a Commissioner of Education Who Is QUALIFIED & SUPPORTS Public Education


 
Frank Edelblut is a full-throated proponent of school choice, which would mean taking money and jobs away from public schools and sending them to charter and private schools. Simply put – it’s outsourcing! 
 
He is totally unqualified for the job of leading the NH’s public school system, as he has never worked in one, sent his children to one or even served on a school board! Edelblut also supports Right-to-Work.
 
 
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