We have obtained copies of the August 14, 2007 Petition for “Rulemaking Regarding Members-Only Minority-Union Collective Bargaining” and the supporting letter of the same date signed by twenty-five law professors. The 71-page Petition was authored by Professor Charles Morris on behalf of the Steelworkers Union. The Steelworkers Union’s Petition is joined by:

• the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America;
• the California Nurses Association;
• the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers;
• the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America;
•  the Communication Workers of America; and
• the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

All seven of the union signatories are AFL-CIO unions, and, with the exception of the unions that represent government workers, they are the largest unions in that organization. Neither the AFL-CIO nor the unions representing government workers signed on to the petition. Additionally, the Change to Win organization and its member unions have been noticeably silent on the issue.

While the law professors’ letter is signed by a number of very impressive scholars, there are some notable absences. Two that came to mind immediately were Professor Patrick Hardin and Professor Theodore St. Antoine.

• August 14, 2007 Petition for “Rulemaking Regarding Members-Only Minority-Union Collective Bargaining
• August 14, 2007 Law Professors’ Letter in support of Petition for “Rulemaking Regarding Members-Only Minority-Union Collective Bargaining