Labor Updates (7/16/07)

Looks like we may need a watchdog to keep an eye on the government's "watchdog," the Government Accountability Office (GAO). In what mirrors private-sector union-busting tactics-but paid for with our tax dollars-the GAO has hired private counsel to help the agency fight a unionizing drive by more than 1,400 analysts who want to form a union with the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE). Click here for Mike Hall's report on the AFL-CIO NOW blog…Architect of the Capitol Workers Get Agreement: "A collective bargaining agreement covering about 500 laborers, custodians, gardeners and other non-skilled workers employed by the Architect of the Capitol's office went into effect Tuesday," reports Elizabeth Brotherton in the July 11 Roll Call. The contract had been ratified some months ago by the workers. "The agreement, signed by acting Architect Stephen Ayers, will allow the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees to represent workers who serve in the Capitol, House and Senate office buildings and Botanic Garden. 'We are pleased that the contract is being signed today after being ratified earlier by a vote of the AFSCME membership,' said Wally Reed, president of AFSCME Local 626. 'This agreement, which contains new rights and protections for union-represented employees, will bring labor-relations to a new level in the Office of the Architect of the Capitol.'"