Niccollai Cites Flaws in Proposed Congressional Compromises

6/9/2009 - UFCW Local 464A President, John T. Niccollai cited flaws in proposed amendments to two issues currently under study before the U. S. Congress. He also decried Republican efforts to paint Supreme Court nominee, Sonia Sotomayor as a racist. Speaking before Local 464A members at the June 9 General Membership Meeting in Little Falls, NJ, Niccollai addressed healthcare and the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA).

On healthcare, the UFCW Local 464A leader said an option to pay for government healthcare for the uninsured by taxing the benefits of Americans who currently have private insurance is inconsistent with promises President Barrack Obama made during his campaign. “I understand that in today’s economic environment politicians are anxious to find ways to balance the budget when new initiatives are planned. But a proposal to tax those of us who have healthcare insurance in order to pay for those who do not is what killed a national plan during the Clinton administration in 1993. The members of UFCW Local 464A work very hard in a demanding industry. They cannot afford to see their benefits eroded by added costs. We are strong supporters of President Obama and we know he is a man of his word. He must keep his promise to the unions and working men and women of America.”

On EFCA, Niccollai stated his firm opposition to proposals that would increase the number of signatures needed to secure union representation from 50% to 70% or more. He also condemned attempts to further water down the bill by removing a key component requiring contract arbitration if companies do not bargain in good faith and reach agreement with a union within a specified period of time. “That gives the labor movement absolutely nothing. These are changes we cannot live with. The EFCA bill should be submitted and passed as originally proposed.”

Niccollai praised Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor, as a woman who is not only well educated, but also highly experienced in a practical, non-elite way that enables her to understand what America’s workers need. “It is nonsense to hear Republicans such as Newt Gingrich call her a racist. Nothing could be further from the truth. We must realize how Supreme Court decisions can affect our lives. Remember that it was the Supreme Court that decided to certify George W. Bush as President even though Al Gore won the election. We had an eight year ride at the rodeo because of that Supreme Court decision.”