In a staff report dated April 13, but in existence prior to today, Asheville City Attorney Bob Oast alluded to federal legislation impacting the state’s position on collective bargaining for civil servants. Reportedly, the League of Municipalities is not happy with a bill reintroduced by Harry Reid. It has gone by S.3194, HR413, and S.1611. Reports spread this morning claimed the bill would mandate collective bargaining for public safety employees. City council members, however, were of the opinion the legislation was pro-choice; that is, it would allow, create the option for, or otherwise only put its nose in the tent. One might read the bills, but it is difficult to read what Congress may be deeming.
Mayor Terry Bellamy was wholeheartedly aligned with the League in foreseeing devastating budgetary impacts from the unionization of the city’s most expensive department. She also conjured recollections of the city’s unionized transit department. When they had an issue, several came to council meetings in uniform and sat until the meeting was over, around 11:00 pm. There were restrictions on who could talk to whom. Bellamy suggested council might want to join a growing number of local legislative bodies wanting to sue the federal government for overreaching on this one, too.
Oast warned action could take place in 48 hours. The League was of the same opinion. These days, people just expect federal legislation to bypass due process and get a presidential signature whether or not high waters come, too. (I did not use a negative word.) It would be difficult to appropriately notice a special meeting in less than 48 hours, so the plan was for Oast to collect and disseminate as much information as possible, and council members would act on their own to send letters to the appropriate legislators.
