Protect Workers Rights

Continual delays and excuses by New Hampshire Speaker of the House Bill O’Brien to schedule a veto override vote are weakening the power of labor unions in the state. The current state of the Right-to-Work legislation prevents unions from receiving funds that help enforce labor contracts and cover the cost of negotiation. These are rights essential for labor unions to protect workers’ rights.

The Speaker’s delays come despite continued pressure from his own party and resignations by party leaders, House Deputy Majority Leader Matt Quandt and Whip Tim Copeland. Both members support the ability of unions to organize and resigned in opposition to not only the legislation, but specifically in opposition to Speaker O’Brien’s anti-labor and anti-worker agenda.

By delaying the vote the Speaker is alienating members of the both the Democratic and Republican parties who want to ensure that labor unions are protected. If other Republicans, like Quandt and Copeland, are willing to stand up for labor unions, than Speaker O’Brien needs to stand up as well, and schedule a vote. Without a vote, workers in the state of New Hampshire will lose the voice that advocates for their rights.

Speaker O’Brien must stop delaying and stop making excuses and give labor unions a fighting chance.