Strange Bedfellows: The ‘Why?’ Of Josh Hawley’s Pro-Labor Framework

by | Jan 16, 2025 | Federal, IBT, Labor Relations Ink, Labor Relations Insight, Leadership, Legal, News, Sean O'Brien, Union Leaders, Union Leaders, Unions

We recently discussed the weirdness of the SEIU and AFL-CIO reuniting 20 years after an ugly public split ahead of Trump 2.0 and a major NLRB overhaul. That remarriage between a union and labor federation did not include one of the original divorce parties, the Teamsters.

If you were wondering whether the Teamsters were sitting out that drama, Sean O’Brien has other shenanigans at work, as organized labor repositions itself for a new era of labor policy.

In addition to declaring illusory strikes, O’Brien has been nursing relationships with the GOP. Remember last fall when he spoke at the RNC, and some wondered if he was angling for a Trump cabinet position? He is now tight with Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO). Not too long ago, Hawley appeared to be a conservative figure in danger of losing mainstream GOP support, but lately, he has hopped aboard the union train. It’s a lot to take in.

Hawley and the Teamsters have recently collaborated on a proposed “pro-worker framework.” The full text of this proposed legislation isn’t available to the public but was briefly summarized by Punchbowl News, which reported that Hawley is circulating the document to GOP colleagues with the following goals:

  • Banning so-called “captive audience meetings;
  • Requiring employers to post about workers’ rights to collectively bargain publicly;
  • Mandating quickie elections within 20 business days of filing a petition;
  • Requiring employers to negotiate with a union within 10 days after election results arrive;
  • Imposing greater penalties and remedies for NLRA violations;
  • Boosting penalties and remedies for committing unfair labor practices;

It is surprising and disturbing to see this type of labor reform proposed by a Republican senator. Hawley’s romance with the Teamsters has been brewing for a minute. Last year, the union donated to Hawley’s campaign for reelection, and he picketed with the Teamsters during a strike against Greybar Electric. He was also criticized for “pandering” to Big Labor by suddenly speaking out against Right To Work in an apparent effort to win union members’ votes.

Whether or not Hawley truly believes in his new reforms, he’s selling his new wares as hard as possible and did win Senate reelection, so whatever he is doing worked for him in a state where Republicans were more receptive than average about O’Brien cozying to the GOP.

The act continues. In a new op-ed entitled “The Promise Of Pro-Labor Conservatism,” Hawley praised O’Brien for his work on a “roadmap” for labor. In doing so, Hawley also bashed his fellow GOP lawmakers who “have stupidly gone along with the suits,” in his words.

This situation illustrates why employers cannot rely on lawmakers to defend their right to run their businesses as they see fit. It’s another reason for companies to remain vigilant about unions and stay transparent with workers to counter the threat of Big Labor.

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