In September 2015, NonDoc hit the ground running with a five-part series on Oklahoma’s labor environment in honor of Labor Day.
Contributing reporter Joshua M. Jones delivered two articles: one providing an overview of the relationship between the state’s Department of Labor and local unions; another about issues surrounding the state’s minimum wage.
Meanwhile, Mike Seney, senior vice president of policy analysis and strategic planning at the State Chamber of Oklahoma, and R.L. McGhee III, District 11 vice president of the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF), faced off in a point/counterpoint miniseries examining “the overall labor-management relationship in our country.”
Last but not least, NonDoc editor in chief William W. Savage III traced Right to Work’s passage in Oklahoma and the political polarization that took place during that campaign in the early 21st century.
OKC police, fire contracts remain contentious
Today, we offer appreciation for working men and women everywhere, and we will do our best to take a breath this holiday ourselves.
In the meantime, check out the following Labor Day articles from our inaugural series about labor.
Remember, labor negotiations are important issues, as evidenced by Oklahoma City police currently not wearing body cams while their union negotiates its annual contract. Additionally, the City of Oklahoma City has opted to put its contract with the Local 157 fire union to a vote of the people after they didn’t get the determination they sought from arbiters.
Enjoy (what is hopefully) your day off!
LABOR SERIES: OVERVIEW
Labor in Oklahoma: Unions see less membership, understanding
by Joshua M. Jones
LABOR SERIES:
MINIMUM WAGE
Minimum wage: ‘If I could pay you any less, I would’
by Joshua M. Jones
LABOR SERIES: POINT
Point: Enact federal Right To Work law and repeal minimum wage
by Mike Seney
LABOR SERIES: COUNTERPOINT
Counterpoint: Collective bargaining rights for all workers
by R.L. McGhee III
LABOR SERIES:
RIGHT TO WORK
Right To Work 14 years later: ‘It was an incredible campaign’
by William W. Savage III
