The legislation would repeal the Municipal Employees Collective Bargaining Act, a law approved in 2004 that requires Oklahoma cities with more than 35,000 residents to collectively bargain with their employees.

The Oklahoma Senate today passed a bill through committee that would remove the requirement of collective bargaining for cities with more than 35,000 residents. There are 13 such cities in Oklahoma. After massive, statewide Republican election gains in November, the climate is not exactly union-friendly. The bill and its method of passage bear the trademarks of 2011 collective bargaining attacks by the Far Right:

– The bill was passed along party lines (5R to 3D)
– The bill overturns a recent law (from 2004)
– The bill does not affect police and firefighters

It should be noted that Oklahoma’s state motto is “Labor Omnia Vincit.”

That is Latin for “Labor Conquers All Things.”

From the Norman Transcript:

Matt Thomas, a Midwest City water treatment center worker, said collective bargaining is more about workers having a voice on issues important to them. He said a new contract approved last year requires the city to buy heavy coats and coveralls for employees who work outside and provide safety spikes for their boots to protect them from slips and falls during snow and ice.

“A lot of it has nothing to do with wages at all,” said Thomas, chairman of the Midwest City chapter of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Union. “It’s about safety and having a voice in the workplace.”