TRUTH IN EMPLOYMENT ACT -- HON. RON PAUL (Extensions of Remarks - August 03, 2001)
[Page: E1540] GPO's PDF---
- Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce the Truth in Employment Act which protects small businesses and independent-minded workers from the destructive and coercive ``top-down'' organizing tactic known as salting. Salting is a technique designed by unscrupulous union officials for the purpose of harassing small businesses until the businesses compel their employees to pay union dues as a condition of employment.
- ``Salts'' are professional union organizers who apply for jobs solely in order to compel employers into consenting to union monopoly bargaining and forced-dues contract clauses. They do this by disrupting the workplace and drumming up so-called ``unfair labor practice'' charges which are designed to harass and tie up the small business person in constant and costly litigation.
- Thanks to unconstitutional interference in the nation's labor markets by Congress, small businesses targeted by union salts often must acquiesce to union bosses' demands that they force their workers to accept union ``representation'' and pay union dues. If an employer challenges a salt, the salt may file (and win) an unfair labor practice charge against the employer!
- Passing the Truth in Employment Act is a good first step toward restoring the constitution rights of property and contract to employers and employees. I therefore urge my colleagues to stand up for those workers who do not wish to be forced to pay union dues as a condition of employment by cosponsoring the Truth in Employment Act.