“This is a blatant attempt by Michigan Republicans to assault the collective bargaining process and undermine the standard of living it has helped foster. This effort continues a dangerous trend set by Republican-led state legislatures across the nation, and it is another instance of the Tea Party needlessly sowing division and setting Republicans’ economic agenda.

“Elected officials, labor leaders and business leaders can and should work towards the common goals of job creation, improving our economy and strengthening middle-class families. But this partisan power grab is a setback to prospects for compromise.”

“The ruling by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia encourages politically motivated behavior by board members with a partisan agenda. A board member has the right to voice disapproval of a rule by voting ‘no,’ but a single member should not be allowed to derail the entire process by refusing to vote at all. The Board had a quorum, and they acted appropriately to protect the rights of working Americans. I hope the board takes steps to ensure the rule is preserved.
“It is encouraging that the court took no issue with the merits of the rule, which was recently upheld by a bipartisan Senate vote. I am confident these merits will be reaffirmed in future court actions.”

“Senate Democrats stood up for the right of working men and women to organize and negotiate their terms of employment through an enforceable contract. This rule gives workers the same rights that CEOs already enjoy – nothing more and nothing less.

“Republicans continue to push measures that squeeze the middle class while protecting the wealthiest Americans. Had Republicans succeeded in their effort today, executives could have continued using lawsuits and intimidation to thwart their employees’ ability to bargain. Democrats will continue to fight for American workers. I hope that my Republican colleagues finally start putting the middle class ahead of the interests of millionaires.”

“Today’s proposed rule change is about fairness. It would help give workers the same ability to bargain for wages and benefits now enjoyed by CEOs – whose pay has skyrocketed while their employees continue to struggle. Despite my Republican friends’ track record of standing up for wealthy CEOs who ship jobs overseas, I hope they will join me in supporting a ruling that takes the side of the middle class.”

“Over the last century we’ve made incredible progress toward making the workplace a safe place for every man and woman, and prevented countless tragedies. But too many men and women who put in an honest day’s work to put food on the table for their families are still in danger. Every day in the United States about 150 workers die from job-related injuries or diseases, all of which could have been avoided. Today we commemorate the sacrifice of construction workers, cops, firefighters, miners, farmers and people from all walks of life who seek to provide a better life for their families through hard work.

“In recent years, workplace safety issues have touched Nevada in very serious ways. That’s why I have worked with state and federal officials to improve regulations that protect worker safety and to ensure those regulations are properly enforced. Today’s visit by Secretary Solis to Nevada, where the heat of the desert southwest can make job sites more dangerous, is part of that effort. Our work will not stop until every Nevada workplace is safe, and families across the country know that when their fathers and mothers, sons and daughters go to work in the morning, they’ll come back that night in one piece.”