Labor & Employment Law

NBA Union Backs Wisconsin Public Employees

By Tula Connell

The National Basketball Association’s Player’s Association (NBAPA) is backing Wisconsin public employees who are fighting for their right to bargain for good middle-class jobs. NBAPA Executive Director Billy Hunter denounced last night’s vote in the state assembly to take away collective bargainig rights. This from the Nation:

Last night?s vote by the Wisconsin Assembly was an attempt to undermine organized labor and the men and women across the country who depend on their unions for a voice in the workplace. The NBPA proudly supports our brothers and sisters in Wisconsin and their stand for unequivocal collective bargaining rights.

 Hunter, who earned his law degree from the University of California-Berkeley while playing in the National Football League, has been part of the struggle for workers rights for many years. Keyon Dooling’s voice, as a player in Wisconsin and a leader in the union is perhaps even more welcome. 

Wisconsin public-sector workers tirelessly deliver services on a daily basis to millions of Wisconsin residents. The right of these hard-working men and women to organize and bargain collectively is fundamental.  Wisconsin?s workers deserve better than last night?s vote. Today, our union stands proudly with our fellow union members throughout the state as they continue their fight.

The NBAPA says it has been threatened with layoffs, contraction, and steep cuts in pay and benefits in current collective bargaining negotiations with NBA commissioner David Stern and the assorted team owners.

Full post as published by AFL-CIO NOW BLOG on February 25, 2011 (boomark / email).