Protect the Rights of Georgia's Workers - Stop SB 469

On February 28, 2012, members of the Georgia Senate’s Insurance and Labor Committee passed SB 469, an anti-free speech bill designed to eliminate and/or criminalize the voice of Georgians, out of committee.

Despite hearing testimony from a number of citizens, organizations and associations--including GAE, Communication Workers of America, as well as the AFL-CIO–the committee voted and passed the bill anyway. It was done via voice vote. There were no nays, nor abstentions.

By doing so, those Georgia State Senators took a nasty swipe at public educators, police officers, firemen, nurses, mechanics, and countless others—all hard working professionals who believe that joining together to effect change and protect their rights is a good thing.

Senator Don Balfour, the primary sponsor of SB 469, commented as he introduced SB 469 to the committee that this legislation came directly from the Chamber of Commerce and that similar legislation has been proposed in other states.

The Senate Committee will tell you that SB 469 is a bill to prohibit mass picketing at private residences. As Senator Don Balfour (lead sponsor of the bill) put it, the language of the bill is "content neutral." Perhaps we haven't been reading the same bill, Senator Balfour.  You see, SB 469 will criminialize picketing, punish employee associations, and penalize civil disobedience We consider this a direct attack.

GAE, AFL-CIO, Communications Workers of America, and other organizations-t work diligently to support and represent public educators and other hard working Georgians. SB 469 undermines our capability to provide those services and protections to you.  In GAE's case, one of those primary resources is legal protection for educators.

We believe the state has NO AUTHORITY to interfere with your PRIVATE CHOICE to have a preset amount automatically deducted from your paycheck. Stand united with us to protect your right to organize!