Neb. labor commission proposal draws fire (R's could kill O Steve's union)

[Omaha Steve]

http://fremonttribune.com/news/state-and-regional/article_07c58578-8df3-5213-b18a-f756a511ff5c.html

Associated Press | Posted: Tuesday, April 12, 2011 3:35 pm

Criticism is mounting against a bill that would change the state body that resolves labor impasses between public worker unions and employers.

The Platte Institute for Economic Research, a conservative Omaha-based think tank, argued Tuesday that proposed changes to the Nebraska Commission of Industrial Relations would not substantially reduce government spending. The executive director said the legislative proposal also could intrude on private businesses, because the commission might have to subpoena them to compare public and private sector wages.

Omaha Sen. Steve Lathrop has said his bill _ created after months of talks with government and labor groups _ represents the "comprehensive, significant and meaningful" changes Gov. Dave Heineman and commission critics have sought. Hastings Sen. Dennis Utter, a critic of the commission, called the bill a vast improvement over the current setup.

A hearing on the bill is scheduled for Wednesday before the Legislature's Business and Labor Committee.

John McCollister, the institute's executive director, said the current proposal doesn't give local governments enough control over their budgets.

"We taxpayers should have some reasonable assurance of cost containment, and Nebraska's political subdivisions must have greater ability to exert control over the most significant portion of their respective budgets," McCollister said.

FULL story at link.