Feisty Governor Nikki Haley Tells AFL-CIO To “Bring It”

Nikki Haley, newly sworn-in Governor of South Carolina, is welcomed into office by the AFL-CIO. Their idea of a welcome? A lawsuit. Governor Haley dared to announce her intent to keep job-killing unions from invading South Carolina’s businesses. In particular, the Boeing Inc. plant in North Charleston.

(WAGT26)

“There’s no secret I don’t like the unions.”

The AP reported-

The lawsuit filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Charleston by the International Association of Machinists and AFL-CIO asked for a court order telling Haley and her director of the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation to butt out and remain neutral in matters concerning union activities.

“There’s no secret I don’t like the unions,” Haley said when asked about the litigation. “We are a right-to-work state. I will do everything I can to defend the fact we are a right-to-work state. We are pro-business by nature. I want us to continue to be pro-business. If they don’t like what I said, I’m sorry, that’s how I feel.”

The lawsuit came after remarks Haley made last month as she nominated Catherine Templeton to run the state’s labor agency. She said Templeton’s union-fighting background would be helpful in state fights against the labor groups, particularly at Boeing.

“She is ready for the challenge,” Haley said at the time. “We’re going to fight the unions and I needed a partner to help me do it. She’s the right person to help me do it.”

For her part, Templeton said: “In my experience I have found there is not one company that operates more efficiently when you put another layer of bureaucracy in. … We will do everything we can to work with Boeing and make sure that their work force is taken care of, that they run efficiently and that we don’t add anything unnecessarily.”

The lawsuit said their actions, “taken under the color of state law, intimidate and coerce workers so that they are compelled to refrain from joining or supporting labor organizations.”

A union is accusing someone of intimidation and coercion?

Machinists union spokesman Frank Larkin told The Associated Press the lawsuit is an attempt to make sure workers’ constitutionally protected rights aren’t harmed by South Carolina’s governor. Larkin hadn’t seen another governor be so plainspoken.

“This is practically unprecedented for a state to be so clear and so overt,” Larkin said.

If “the machinists are offended that the Governor doesn’t think unions are a good thing in South Carolina, they’re just going to have to get used to it,” Haley spokesman Rob Godfrey said.

Meanwhile, the National Labor Relations Board has threatened a federal lawsuit against South Carolina, Arizona, South Dakota and Utah over constitutional amendments guaranteeing secret-ballot union elections. Unions want to also be able to organize workers through signature drives.

Templeton was confirmed by the state Senate for the job last week. But during her confirmation hearing, state Sen. Robert Ford asked her if she had orders to crack down on labor unions. The Democrat represents the Charleston district where the Boeing plant is being built.

“But you don’t have no mandate from nobody that we’re not going to let no labor union exist at Boeing?” Ford asked.

“No, sir. Of course not. We don’t have the authority to do that,” Templeton said.

In Governor Haley we have another strong, intelligent and beautiful Republican woman. The type that ties the left in knots. The type that won’t be intimidated. Wise choice, South Carolina!

#1 January 21, 2011 at 6:29 pm
dwd commented:

“But you don’t have no mandate from nobody that we’re not going to let no labor union exist at Boeing?” Ford asked.

Thus spoketh the eloquent and learned State Senator Robert Ford
#2 January 21, 2011 at 6:34 pm
planeboy commented:

This women has a backbone and looks to take the fight to them
#3 January 21, 2011 at 6:38 pm
MrGoodWench commented:

@ dwd

He sounds like Alvin Greene !
#4 January 21, 2011 at 6:38 pm
Dan commented:

Where was Haley when Palin was being blamed for murder? Palin took her from 3rd to 1st and defended her when people tried to smear Haley with affair allegations. Haley was silent when Palin was being blamed for murder. Sad fact. It really saddens me.
#5 January 21, 2011 at 6:43 pm
Pat the First commented:

I have watched Boeing’s union for years. Know people who had to be a part of the union in order to have a job with Boeing and hated it. I am not sure it is worth having Boeing in your state if you have to put up with their unions.

The Seattle area is controlled by primarily Boeing unions. It has become a mess with a liberal bend that has done nothing but pull down much of Seattle.

Gov. Haley . . . just say “no”. You won’t regret it.
#6 January 21, 2011 at 6:50 pm
Mac commented:

Is there really a Sen. Robert Ford in S.C.? And are those really his words? Someone please tell me this is a prank.
#7 January 21, 2011 at 6:52 pm
Carbon Pootprint commented:

Look at the lying communist scum unions always support when election time rolls around. Need any other reason to keep unions out of a state?
#9 January 21, 2011 at 7:02 pm
Granny commented:

I am glad to live in a Right to Work state. They need to be kept that way. Too bad for the unions.
#10 January 21, 2011 at 7:05 pm
Wm T Sherman commented:

The unions want Haley to be ‘neutral,’ huh?

I think they are using the word differently than most people do.
#11 January 21, 2011 at 7:15 pm
Spartan79 commented:

Dan said: Where was Haley when Palin was being blamed for murder? Palin took her from 3rd to 1st and defended her when people tried to smear Haley with affair allegations. Haley was silent when Palin was being blamed for murder. Sad fact. It really saddens me.

I wholeheartedly second Dan’s comment, although Haley really wasn’t that different than everyone else in the GOP. Almost all of them ducked into the closet when Palin was taking fire. The whole embroglio disgusted me, particularly the lame response of most of the GOP.
#12 January 21, 2011 at 7:17 pm
dries commented:

Triple or a quadruple negative?
#13 January 21, 2011 at 7:18 pm
american patriot commented:

When Haley stepped into the governor’s office and when Templeton became a state officer each took an oath that they would execute the laws of the State of SC. Among those laws is a set that protects the right-to-work.

SC folks should expect their executives to obey and defend the laws enacted by the people themselves by their legislators.

Defending SC laws cannot by definition be intimidation. In this case this groundless lawsuit is itself intended to intimidate state officials from carrying out SC’s laws.
#14 January 21, 2011 at 7:20 pm
Taxpayer1234 commented:

Gov. Haley, you makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. And I don’t even live in SC!
#15 January 21, 2011 at 7:26 pm
Pat the First commented:

I don’t think that SC citizens would like Haley to take time off to go defend Palin. Palin can defend herself.

I am not sure her support was necessary. It seems like quite a few people have come Palin’s defense.
#16 January 21, 2011 at 7:26 pm
befuddled commented:

a small cleaning business expanded to several states in an effort to grow(job creation 101). it provided medical benefits etc. to their employees. despite overall job satisfaction from the employees and no benefit or will to unionize, a union saw their was money to be made. the union began a systematic deluge of lawsuits, smear campaigns, and picketing to force the company to unionize or be shut down. unions aren’t about creating jobs, it’s a mob racket. another example is the one in California where the government actually forced day care workers into joining a union. government is actively working against business and workers in favor of a union. it’s much easier for a bureaucrat to go begging for money from a union than it is to get it from a disorganized mass of workers.

God bless Mrs. Haley. she is bringing confidence and common sense back into government. Big “R” or Big “D”, you betcha their is a difference.

i hope Palin is elected, there are so many wonderful women– and probably a few men– she can fill her administration with, it would be a true spiritual and fiscal cleansing from the obama nightmare.
#17 January 21, 2011 at 7:29 pm
Pat the First commented:

I remember when Pres. Bush was finally in the WH. It was so nice to have adults steering the ship. I felt he had so much experience surround him. I just worried less.
#18 January 21, 2011 at 7:59 pm
RightOn commented:

I love it!
#19 January 21, 2011 at 8:06 pm
Mr. Potato Head commented:

I’ve been on both sides of the union v. non-union argument having spent time represented by the Teamsters and then as a corporate executive responsible for labor relations.

Unions have long since served their usefulness. They are interested only in their own self-preservation and growth, not in those they represent, and not in the community at large.

Gov. Haley is interested in her state being attractive to businesses in-state and those considering relocation. More tax paying businesses lessen the burden on families. More businesses lead to more employment. She is right to confront unions at every opportunity.
#20 January 21, 2011 at 8:13 pm
Carol-Christian Soldier commented:

another bold woman leader—
Carol-CS
#21 January 21, 2011 at 8:26 pm
MrGoodWench commented:

Mr Hoft,
IS OLBY REALLY GONE ?
#22 January 21, 2011 at 8:30 pm
Daniel commented:

Likewise. I also have been on both sides of the union vs. non-union issue.
In fact, I lived and worked through a process that initiated a union where I worked years ago. The politics ramps up to a point where one wonders just who is in control.

I can’t tell anymore that unionized employees understand the larger picture. And the arrogance of the leaders is beyond the pale. They don’t even bother to hide the fact when they know they are about to be on tv.
#23 January 21, 2011 at 8:30 pm
Ladue Pundit commented:

The U.S. Constitution gives citizens the right to associate freely. How can a citizen be forced to pay an intermediary (union) as a condition of employment? Unions should be voluntary, and employers should be able to reject as employees any union members.

Unions want to dictate how businesses should be run and set wage scales. That is not their place. Unions funnel money to Democrats and the mob.

I worked for McDonnell Douglas before the Boeing Purchase, and the unions stunk up the place. Whenever they struck, the corporate parking lot was always littered with roofing nails. A ‘thank you’ to the white collar workers who kept the line running on DOD contracts while they picketed.
#24 January 21, 2011 at 8:39 pm
More NBC Failure... commented:

OT but 1 more victim of Obamanomics (just kidding!!):

Reported that K Olbermann is polishing up the resume, asserting he’s not a failure:

http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-keith-olbermann,0,7869137.story
#25 January 21, 2011 at 8:43 pm
martha commented:

This is how we have to answer these people, straight up and no intimidation. I know I do whenever I get the chance and it usually shuts them right up.
#26 January 21, 2011 at 8:58 pm
Steel Arrow commented:

The unions purpose has run its course. I’ve been told that if you have a good employer who treats you fairly, you don’t need a union. Have you noticed that on the average,it takes about 1.5 years of salary to purchase a new car? Thank the unions and their demands.
#27 January 21, 2011 at 9:14 pm
L.E. Liesner commented:

Governor Haley, the governor of a Right to Work State can expect the Department of Justice to file a law suit against her and the State of South Carolina. Eric Holder is going after “Right ot Work” states as we are sitting here, right now. It’s more pay off from the Obama administration to the Labor Unions. This corruption never ceases.
#28 January 21, 2011 at 10:26 pm
GrayRider commented:

The Great Organizer, the Big O won’t be inviting Nikki to any state dinners or lavish White House parties.
#29 January 21, 2011 at 11:40 pm
silentcal_rox commented:

ya gotta luv the guv!! give ‘em hell Nikki!!
#30 January 22, 2011 at 1:56 am
GRU57 commented:

The new Boeing plant is coming right along here in Charleston. It has been an amazing experience seeing all of this new construction, buildings and roads every single day, going up in this very depressed economy. Boeing came here for a reason. Besides getting really good financial incentives to build here, Boeing recognized SC as a right to work state. Now the partisans in the local Democratic Party (aligned with Big O and the unions) are barking and nipping at Boeing’s heels.

And yes, Sen. Robert Ford is real and does talk like that in real-life. It is his mission to look out for the brodda’s and make sure Boeing hires them locally on a diversity basis, whether they are qualified or not. As I understand it, Boeing has some VERY STRINGENT hiring policies in place so his barking and whining hasn’t changed the picture in that regard.

Gov Haley is a Godsend for us here in SC.

I just read the other day that the UAW will be targeting (going after) foreign car manufacturers here in the USA. A boycott or something like that. Go for it unions, your day is done.
#31 January 22, 2011 at 2:34 am
David Kramer commented:

Folks, these ARE NOT UNIONS!

This is the communist idealogues. Workers of the world unite.

Yeah, Trumka and their ilk.

Hey Gateway, has anyone thought about what the hell the commies are doing in the coming democrat get together? What is their next attempt to destroy the US? Boy I wish we could have some peeps in their to listen in!

Any patriotic FBI or Secret Service going to carry wires? LOL
#32 January 22, 2011 at 4:41 am
Theadora commented:

Love This Woman!
#33 January 22, 2011 at 8:31 am
RedBeard commented:

This is good news. Governor Haley is to be applauded for saying precisely what needed to be said.

But being the glass-half-empty person I am, I see a dark side. As a man, I’m rather distressed that so many male conservative politicians seem to lack the strength and fortitude of the female governor of S.C. Where are the real men when it comes to defending our way of life against the forces of the left? Oh, there are a few who are willing to speak as clearly as Gov. Haley, but far too few.

It’s embarrassing watching the conservative women doing so much of the heavy lifting while way too many conservative men sit in the corner drinking tea with a raised pinky, refining their Casper Milquetoast speeches so they won’t offend anyone. Time to man-up out there.

Rant off.
#34 January 22, 2011 at 9:16 am
Marmo commented:

The people of South Carolina should seriously consider only allowing people with at least a high school education to be elected to the state legislature.

Sen. Robert Ford:
“But you don’t have no mandate from nobody that we’re not going to let no labor union exist at Boeing?” Ford asked.
#36 January 22, 2011 at 10:35 am
Oldpuppymax commented:

A JOKE??? Or is that REALLY what Ford said! Well, we know he’s not an ARTICULATE one. I do hope he’s at least CLEAN, right Mr. Biden!
#37 January 22, 2011 at 11:08 am
burt commented:

Now she can begin recruiting new business from Illinois. Of course she will have to stand in line with the states of Wisconsin and Indiana who are also planning to pick up business moving out.
#38 January 22, 2011 at 12:25 pm
LibertyAtStake commented:

Feds suing states to break down secret ballot protections? Did I just wake up in Moscow circa 1925? Nope – just America under Soros funded Progressive hacks.

http://libertyatstake.blogspot.com/
“Because the Only Good Progressive is a Failed Progressive”
#40 January 22, 2011 at 12:42 pm
dunce commented:

5 negatives in one sentence! Is english his first language? oops A sentence by definition expresses a complete thought. What is he thinking? Is he brain damaged? Does he own a gun?
#41 January 22, 2011 at 12:46 pm
Blargsmash commented:

“But you don’t have no mandate from nobody that we’re not going to let no labor union exist at Boeing?”

What is this, I don’t even.