New Hampshire Republicans Fail To Override Governor's Veto On Anti-Union Measure

The Republican-controlled New Hampshire House of Representatives failed to overturn the Democratic governor's veto of an anti-union bill on Wednesday. The failed vote is a victory for labor forces who fought a year-long battle against GOP state legislators who sought to make New Hampshire a "right to work" state.

Even though Republicans held a two-thirds veto-proof majority in the House of Representatives, House Speaker William O'Brien (R) could not get the requisite 252 votes needed to override Gov. John Lynch's (D) veto. The final vote sustaining the governor's veto was 240-139.

According to the Associated Press, after the vote, "[c]heers erupted from the gallery from union workers who attended session after session to urge the bill's defeat since Lynch vetoed the so-called right-to-work bill in May. Both sides had rallied before the vote, with supporters wearing lime green T-shirts emblazoned with the word 'Yes!!!' and opponents wearing red T-shirts with 'RTW' and a line through it to represent their opposition to right-to-work laws."

The bill, known as HB 474, would have barred unions from collecting dues from non-members.

State Republicans claimed that the bill was a matter of personal freedom.

"Let those who wish to associate with unions to freely do so, but let's also show compassion for those who choose not to associate with unions," said state Rep. Gary Daniels (R). "Let them be free to choose an alternative action without being required to pay to keep their jobs."

In a press release, Mark Mackenzie, president of the New Hampshire AFL-CIO, praised the state representatives who voted against the veto override.

"Their vote is a clear signal to all of our elected leaders, in New Hampshire and elsewhere, that attacking the rights of everyday Americans isn't the key to economic prosperity," he said.

On Wednesday, presidential hopeful Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) spoke to the New Hampshire legislature, praising the legislation and urging an override of the veto.

"If you pass into law a right- to-work law, you may join my home state and take over the title of the state that's creating more jobs in American than any place in this country," Perry said to a standing ovation. "Unions have their proper role in America but you shouldn't be forced to join one to feed your family. It should be your choice."

Correction: This article incorrectly stated Lynch was a Republican. It has been change to reflect that he is a Democrat. We regret the error.

Comments

[William Overholt]

05:43 PM on 12/15/2011

Being from NH, I can tell you I was amazed that the veto was not overridden. this is the first time with this most recent legislature that the Republicans did not vote as told to by Speaker O'Brien, a reprobate who runs the house like a dictator - and the rest of the Republicans fall in line line lemmings.

[citizen49]

06:34 PM on 12/01/2011

If a worker benefits from union rules and benefits then he should be required to pay dues. If he/she does not want to pay union dues, then they should get a non-union job.

[glendadover]

06:02 PM on 12/01/2011

The Repubs lose again. They keep trying to take away the middle classes rights.

[Grumpy Old Dude]

04:59 PM on 12/01/2011

I grant you that NH Repubs are a crazzzy lot, but thankfully we have a Democrat in the State House. Thank you Gov. Lynch for your veto! As for Gov. Perry, NH is a small state, and we can only support a limited number of McDonalds, BK's, or Wendy's, keep your formula for minimum wage jobs in TX where they belong! Unions live!

[Burden of Truth]

04:16 PM on 12/01/2011

hey Perry. kind of like the choice you want to take away from all women right.. so you are for a person’s own choice when it comes to Joining a union however, you do not believe that woman deserve the same right over their own bodies…
didn’t think so
why can’t the GOP at least be consistent

[Judge Toughluck]

05:34 PM on 12/01/2011

They're pretty consistent at lying. And hanging themselves in the media...

[YahBetcha]

03:55 PM on 12/01/2011

Union haters - going down! And the more they hate and try to take away union rights - the more voters they infuriate - and those voters volunteer, donate and vote Democrat. The anti-union thugs are doing what the Tea Baggers have already done: turned off the independent voters.

[beckjr2000]

03:44 PM on 12/01/2011

"Unions have their proper role in America but you shouldn't be forced to join one to feed your family. It should be your choice." Gov. Perry is know for making stupid statements. This is not one of them!

[ScottV]

03:58 PM on 12/01/2011

That's right the Gov is all for paying people less to they can feed their families less. I believe that is part of his Texas Fight Obesity Plan as well.

[tiamarie]

05:22 PM on 12/02/2011

If you don't want to be forced to join a union, don't apply for a job in a union shop. Simple as that. It seems the repubs want their cake and eat it too. Talk about freeloading! You want all the goodies unions provide but don't want to contribute. Typical repub.

[beckjr2000]

11:35 AM on 12/04/2011

As a Business owner I personally believe there should be no such thing as a Union Shop. Having Union Shops is tantamount to giving up control of your business. That's not the same thing as saying their should be no Unions. There should be no Unions in Government at any level. That is nothing more than Legalized Organized Crime. They have no added value in Government what so ever. People who go to work for an agreed upon wage and working conditions that do not belong to Union are not freeloaders. The Freeloaders are the Unions Leadership themselves.

[StinkyMoBub]

03:27 PM on 12/01/2011

"but let's also show compassion for those who choose not to associate with unions"

Not a problem. Simply tell those that don't want to be in a union to revert to whatever lesser wages and benefits would be theirs without the union's help. Issue solved.

[wwoody]

01:50 PM on 12/01/2011

Power to the people.....the real union.

[logicalchoice]

01:21 PM on 12/01/2011

Texas: creating the most minimum wage jobs in American. RTW = Right to work for Minimum wage!!!!

[dan webster]

11:47 AM on 12/01/2011

In a parallel case, nearly the exact political order in NH resulted in an override of Lynch's veto about a month ago in the "Stand Your Ground" bill. Didn't see THAT one on HP. A New Hampshire citizen can use deadly force in defense of self or another any place the person has a right to be. (If this puzzles you, New Hampshire is open carry.) The cops were against it. WHY? They were afraid armed citizens would put them out of work. So it all boils down to union protectionism, once again.

[Norsky]

11:49 AM on 12/01/2011

Oh boy. :-P

Another one crops up.

[kathy001]

01:15 PM on 12/01/2011

"They were afraid armed citizens would put them out of work."

You're kidding - right?

[ZeraLee]

02:52 PM on 12/02/2011

It is getting harder to tell the delusional paranoids from the fanatical extremists.

[opinioned1]

11:40 AM on 12/01/2011

Americans can see the benefit of unions and they are smart enough to know that if unions are eliminated, there is nothing standing in the way of the nation become one of slave labor, child labor, and the old company store mentality of the coal miner days.

Unions YES -- if you ever demand or want equality in today's world of corporate greed.

[edtheengineer]

11:46 AM on 12/01/2011

Better beware, there is a tr0|| on this topic who is given to knee-jerk rants on the subject of unions.

[beckjr2000]

03:47 PM on 12/01/2011

There is a major difference between joining a Union and being forced to join a Union!

[citizen49]

06:43 PM on 12/01/2011

But I bet you are for forcing women to have an unwanted baby, are'nt you? That argument cuts both ways.

[mikevab]

11:16 AM on 12/01/2011

I think I'm moving to NH. Even some Republicans seem to be sane up there...

[dan webster]

11:52 AM on 12/01/2011

Good choice. Seatbelts, helmets, insurance all optional. Open carry. Safest state in the nation.

[kathy001]

01:16 PM on 12/01/2011

Optional helmets explains alot.

[rocks4aliving]

10:56 AM on 12/01/2011

VOTE DEMOCRAT... WE ARE THE 99%

[dan webster]

11:53 AM on 12/01/2011

How INSULTING! That's DemocratIC! Don't forget the "IC" if you're using it as an adjective!

[rocks4aliving]

10:55 AM on 12/01/2011

The comments on this page that claim that Union Dues is a form of EXTORTION... The govenors passing the WRITE TO WORK Bills in their states which gives a worker working with union wages and benefits the right to not pay the dues... Is just UNION BUSTING. and Govenors like Scott Walker who pass NO RIGHT TO NEGOTIATE bills for state employees.... NOW THAT'S EXTORTION ON THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

[dan webster]

12:59 PM on 12/01/2011

Taxes, forced union dues, both forms of extortion.

[logicalchoice]

01:23 PM on 12/01/2011

Both necissary for a 1st world economy!!!

[rocks4aliving]

04:19 PM on 12/01/2011

Taxes are a necessary payment we all pay... When they are fare and equal no one complains... Union dues... If you don't want to pay them, then working somewhere else is a choice. But most likely your pay will be less and there will not be any benefits. Dan.. your sounding like a Birther.