Testimony of Lori J. Pelletier,
Secretary-Treasurer,
March 14, 2007
Good Afternoon Senator McDonald,
Representative Lawlor and the Members of the Judiciary Committee. I am Lori
Pelletier and I serve as Secretary-Treasurer of the Connecticut AFL-CIO. I am
here on behalf of our 900 affiliated local unions from all across this great
state who represent 211,000 working men and women, and I appreciate the opportunity
to address this committee.
H.B. No. 7326 (RAISED) AN ACT
CONCERNING CAPTIVE AUDIENCE MEETINGS.
We
SUPPORT this legislation. Almost without limits, employers can force workers to
attend captive-audience meetings on work time. Most often, these meetings
include exhortations by top managers that are carefully scripted to fall within
the wide latitude afforded employers under U.S. law—allowing
"predictions" but not "threats" of workplace closings.
Employers today try to influence workers on a
variety of issues which are non work related. For example who to vote for in an
election, which religious beliefs to consider as well as other social issues
such as joining a labor organization. Employers can fire workers for not
attending these “captive” meetings. They can impose a "no questions or
comments" rule, and discipline any worker who speaks up. These meetings
are unfair and present lies and misrepresentations as the truth without the
employee being afforded an alternative opinion.
An employer is welcome to hold staff
meetings to discuss work issues, such as contacting your representative on an issue
pertaining to the business. However, it would not be permissible to tell
employees which representative to vote for. Finally an employee who chooses not
to attend these “meetings” would be able return to their job.
This
legislation provides workers with the protection they need from abusive
employers. Employers who do not force their personal opinions regarding
religion, political and social issues will not be subject to this legislation.
We applaud responsible employers and are willing to work with the legislature
on this important issue.
I want to thank this committee for holding this
public hearing and if you have any questions I’d be glad to address them.