Senate Proceeding on Sep 23rd, 2010 :: 2:39:30 to 2:46:05
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2:39:26 to 2:39:48( Edit History Discussion )

Johnny Isakson: vote on the motion to proceed to s.j. res. 30, the joint resolution of disapproval. the presiding officer: is there objection? without objection, so ordered. mr. harkin: madam president, how much time is left on our side? the presiding officer: 11 minutes. mr. harkin: and on the other side? the presiding officer:. the presiding officer: 13

2:39:30 to 2:46:05( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Johnny Isakson

2:39:49 to 2:40:10( Edit History Discussion )

Johnny Isakson: minutes. mr. harkin: i yield the floor. the presiding officer: the senator from georgia. mr. isakson: madam president, i want to take the remarks of the distinguished chairman, which in many ways validate the reason we should all vote for senate joint resolution 30, and i want to tell you why.

2:40:11 to 2:40:31( Edit History Discussion )

Johnny Isakson: the chairman, the distinguished chairman talked about the fact that, well, it is permanent but it's kind of not permanent if you make a decision under the national mediation board. i want to clear that up once and forever, and i want to submit for the record the october 8, 2009, letter from sandra pollas k eu, deputy under secretary of

2:40:32 to 2:40:53( Edit History Discussion )

Johnny Isakson: letter, that letter sent to the director of international labor standards, development and international labor office in jean srarbgs switzerland -- geneva, switzerland, asked a number of question regarding u.s. labor law as it affects transportation. i want to quote from her answer to question 15. unlike the national labor

2:40:54 to 2:41:14( Edit History Discussion )

Johnny Isakson: relations act, nlra, the railway labor act does not provide for a decertification process. this is the president of the united states under secretary of labor. i repeat that: the nlra does not provide for a decertification process. therefore, the union certification continues until another union makes a showing of interest to represent that representative class or craft.

2:41:15 to 2:41:35( Edit History Discussion )

Johnny Isakson: in this circumstance, as this showing requires authorization from at least a majority of the class, the alleged disadvantage of n.m.b. certifying method works to the advantage of the incumbent union. now, i didn't say that. president obama's under secretary of labor said that. now, with regard to the examples that the distinguished chairman used with regard to bond issues

2:41:36 to 2:41:56( Edit History Discussion )

Johnny Isakson: and the missouri plan and things of that nature, i want to make a few points. when you do vote for a bond issue, you do vote it up or down. and in most government bond issues are 20- to 30-year terms which means in 20 to 30 years they are over. organization under the national mediation board is in perpetuity. that's number one. the distinguished chairman

2:41:57 to 2:42:17( Edit History Discussion )

Johnny Isakson: talked about what i think is called the missouri plan, which is judges vote up or down against a judge periodically. is that what was said within the state of aa, you can -- in the state of iowa, you can vote up or down to retain a judge. you do that every four years in the state of iowa or whatever

2:42:18 to 2:42:39( Edit History Discussion )

Johnny Isakson: the judicial term is. it's not in perpetuity. this is in perpetuity with the narrow exception stated. then the chairman talked about the minimum wage. the minimum wage has risen from $1 to its current level because we periodically had elections to change it. this is permanent. so when you take the arguments that you made alleging about

2:42:40 to 2:43:00( Edit History Discussion )

Johnny Isakson: being antiunion or not in favor of unions, the national mediation board organization protects in perpetuity the organization of a union which is why it ought to require a majority of all people covered. the national labor relations board, the chairman talked about the number of unions that have recently been decertified.

2:43:01 to 2:43:22( Edit History Discussion )

Johnny Isakson: every one of them is under the nlrb, not the national mediation bo you can't have it both ways. now, i am honored and privileged to represent delta airlines, or the state that is the home to delta airlines. and i know what kind of an employer they are. and i have a letter that i would like -- that i've already asked

2:43:23 to 2:43:44( Edit History Discussion )

Johnny Isakson: to be entered into the record. but i'd like to read a part of this letter from a delta employee by the name of susan powell of bufford, georgia. she writes -- and i quote -- "i've invested 31 years into a fabulous career at delta airlines and i feel so blessed to have been able to work for such a wonderful company all these years. the intentions of the national

2:43:45 to 2:44:05( Edit History Discussion )

Johnny Isakson: mediation board are totally transparent and should not be tolerated by congress or any other body or individual, including the president, who claims to embrace honesty, fairness and ethics. it is abundantly clear to me that the motivation of the newest appointees to the national mediation board is to pave the way for airline flight

2:44:06 to 2:44:26( Edit History Discussion )

Johnny Isakson: attendants to gain entry noodle at that airlines. i see no other justification for imposition voting rules on delta flight attendants contrary to the rules on union elections and all other carriers. that is a key point. i've loved my career at delta and am proud of the monumental

2:44:27 to 2:44:47( Edit History Discussion )

Johnny Isakson: elements we have made to emerge from profit ability. i watched in horror as eastern airlines single-handedly brought their own company to its knees and i was forever grateful i had chosen to work for delta airlines. it is my belief in an election in favor of the a.f.a. will be the reaoupbzation of my company

2:44:48 to 2:45:10( Edit History Discussion )

Johnny Isakson: and in the end a blessful career i've enjoyed at delta airlines." end quote. i've got tons of letters from delta employees like the remarks made by susan powell. this is a great company. a company on one of the an verse raised the money to buy the company an anniversary jet for their fleet.

2:45:11 to 2:45:31( Edit History Discussion )

Johnny Isakson: delta airlines is a great company that has operated under the national mediation board since it was incorporated as an airline carrier in the united states of america. that should be extended as it should to everybody else who has been granted their rights under a national mediation board which has served the industry well, served commerce and the united states of america well and served transportation well.

2:45:32 to 2:45:56( Edit History Discussion )

Johnny Isakson: we should not allow appointed board of three people overturn 75 years of history and 75 years of precedent. and i reserve the balance of my time and note the absence of a quorum. the presiding officer: the clerk

2:45:57 to 2:46:02( Edit History Discussion )

Johnny Isakson: will call the roll.