Ethics Group Blasts CA Labor Bosses

Failure of Prop 226 Blamed on Labor Bosses Misuse of Union Dues

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today the National Legal and Policy Center blasted California labor bosses for misusing their workers' funds to defeat the Paycheck Protection Initiative, Proposition 226.

"It's truly a sad day for California workers,"stated NLPC Chairman Ken Boehm. "Union members should have some control of their money that goes for political causes".

The measure failed by XX%, in large part because the anti-226 entities outspent their foes by an estimated $17 million.

"The larger outrage here is that the workers of California helped to bankroll the effort that would have given them a choice how their own money was spent whether they wanted to or not" continued Boehm. "It is unethical to have used workers money to defeat a measure that they supported."

California is only the first test for the Paycheck Protection Initiative. The issue is already pending in other states as well as in federal legislation. Proponents of the measure have said that the battle is far from over.

"It is a disgrace that the union bosses have taken advantage of their workers for so long. Their entire game plan throughout the 226 debate has been counter-productive to the interests of California union members and all Californians," added Boehm.

NLPC is a nonprofit, nonpartisan foundation promoting ethics and accountability in government. NLPC was a plaintiff in the lawsuit which succeeded in opening the records of Hillary Rodham Clinton's Health Care Task Force. NLPC's Organized Labor Accountability Project is investigating and exposing corruption in the Teamsters, LIUNA, AFL-CIO and other labor organizations.

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NOTE: To help facilitate your coverage of Proposition 226 please contact Dan Rene at drene@nlpc.org or (703) 847-3088. Also, Ken Boehm will be available for comment or interviews today.