AFIMAC News Bulletin – Covering Strike Security, Work Stoppages, and Labor Disputes

Feb. 24–Members of the city of Duluth’s largest union voted Tuesday to reject a contract offer and authorize a strike.

Ninety-three percent of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 66 members participated in the vote, with an “overwhelming majority” refusing the city’s final offer, said Jim Dreier, chairman of the union’s negotiating team. He declined to provide any greater detail on the vote tally.

AFSCME represents 461 city workers, including 418 who are full voting members, paying prescribed dues.

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In a vivid display of President Obama’s diminished clout, the Senate’s newest Republican and two veteran Democrats Tuesday helped block Mr. Obama’s bid to fill a key labor post with a nominee they considered too cozy with unions.

With newly seated Sen. Scott Brown, Massachusetts Republican, voting to sustain the filibuster, Senate Democratic leaders failed to muster the 60 votes needed to force a vote on the nomination of Craig Becker to the National Labor Relations Board, which resolves disputes between unions and management.

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