OREGON HOUSE REPUBLICANS

REPUBLICANS VOTE TO PROTECT FREE SPEECH IN THE WORKPLACE

Democrats, Special Interests Push Unconstitutional Bill to Silence Employers

SALEM— House Republicans today voted to protect free speech by opposing a bill being pushed by Democrats and special interests to silence employers and expand the influence of union bosses in the workplace. SB 519 prohibits employers from communicating with their employees on issues that affect their business, including the consequence of pending legislation that affects their jobs. Republicans presented an alternative “minority report” to protect free speech in the workplace, yet Democrats rejected it on a party-line vote.

“One week after passing permanent job-killing tax increases on businesses, the Legislature is working to cause further harm to our economy by dictating the terms of workplace communications,” said House Republican Leader Bruce Hanna (R-Roseburg). “SB 519 is a poorly-written bill that hurts businesses at the same time they’re fighting to survive and retain workers. Thanks to the Democrats’ big-money campaign contributors, Oregon will be the only state with this broad, reckless, and unnecessary law.”

Rep. Hanna said SB 519 will be the subject of endless and expensive litigation because it violates federally-protected workplace communications and Oregon’s free speech provisions in the state Constitution. Federal courts have struck down similar union-sponsored infringements on workplace communications in other states.

“Federal law already establishes reasonable guidelines and restrictions on workplace communications; SB 519 violates these guidelines and puts Oregon at odds with the federal government,” Rep. Hanna said. “Because SB 519 limits the free speech of a narrow group of Oregonians, it is unconstitutional.  This bill will only serve to erode Oregon’s reputation as a bad place to do business.”

Under the House Republicans’ “minority report,” the state would not interfere in communications between employers and employees, not to restrict the free speech of employers, and not to restrict employers’ rights in regards of communicating about political matters or labor organizations’ activities. The minority report would have referred the measure to voters for their approval or rejection at the 2010 General Election.

“The Republican alternative highlights the fundamental and philosophical divide about whether or not it is appropriate to limit speech,” said Rep. Vicki Berger (R-Salem), the minority report’s carrier. “Republicans believe it’s not appropriate to limit free speech. Employers and employees need to have more conversation about the environment in which they are operating, not less.  They need to have a dialogue about how to survive in good times and especially in the difficult times they face today.”

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