VOLUME 115, ISSUE 24
THE DAILY NEWSCAST
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U.N.
report
slams
statute
Law bans collective
bargaining in N.C.
BYTEMA LARTER
STAFF WRITER
. RALEIGH Holding signs
reading “workers’ rights are humans’
rights,” a group of about 20 activists
gathered Tuesday on the steps of the
N.C. Legislative Building to publi
cize the United Nations’ condemna
tion of a controversial state law.
The 1959 legislation G.S. 95-98
prohibits collective bargaining for
state workers, including UNC’s
many housekeepers, groundskee
pers and cafeteria workers.
The UK’s International Labour
Organization’s report, delivered in
response to grievances brought by
N.C. union organizations, con
demned the law based on prevail
ing international labor standards.
The suit was brought by the
United Electrical, Radio and
Machine Workers of America (UE)
and the UE Local 150, also known
as the N.C. Public Service Union.
North Carolina is one of only
two states that ban collective bar
gaining. The other is Virginia.
“We were spurred into action by
a legacy of injustice, starting with
injustice against housekeepers and
groundskeepers at UNC,” said Bob
Kingsley, UE director of organiza
tion. “We are here today to announce
that the world is now watching.”
Activists, including the UE
Local 150, the state National
Association for the Advancement
for Colored People and the N.C.
AFL-CIO, said they hope the
report will push lawmakers to
introduce and pass counter-legis
lation in the near future.
But Sen. Phil Berger, R-Guilford,
said he doesn’t think a bill to over
turn the legislation would garner
much support in the public sector,
especially for public safely workers.
“I don’t think that the right to
strike and the right to collectively
bargain, which I support in private
industry, is consistent with the
obligation the government has to
provide services for its citizens.”
Berger said the 4.5 percent unem
ployment rate in North Carolina is
tantamount to full employment, giv
ing workers a range of choices.
“If someone is working for the
government and they are dissatis
fied, find another job,” he said.
Tom Harris, chief of staff of the
SEE BARGAINING, PAGE 7
collecttotagaining?
Collective bargaining is the pro
cess by which unions and employers
of workers' employment, including
wages, benefits andworking condi
tions. The N.C. law in question
General Statute 95-98 prohibits
collective bargaining, not unions.
However, unions are virtually power
less without the ability to collectively
bargain with employers.
Online | dailjtarheel.com
CHOOSING A TEAM The Carolina
Hispanic Association is set for elections
NOT A GAME Speaker says people treat
the abortion debate like a sporting event
MOVE YOUR FEET Misconceptions
dance group holds a performance
Serving the students and the University community since 1893
ohr latlu ®ar Mrrl
I. 1 MrPTYI
2007 STUDENT GOVERNMENT INAUGURATION
PASSING OF THE TORCH
NEXT CROP OF STUDENT GOVERNMENT LEADERS ASSUMES POSITIONS
DTH PHOTOSFTRACI WHITE
Incoming Student Body President Eve Carson thanks the audience at the 2007 Student Government Inauguration on Tuesday night after giving her first speech in office.
"What an amazing year this will be," she said about her term at the helm. Carson, who takes over from former President James Allred, received a standing ovation.
BY GREG MARGOUS staff writer
After one outgoing officer cried and
at least two of the new ones flubbed
their oaths, next year’s student
government leaders officially took
their posts Thesday.
The 14 executive and judicial officers and
the 37 members of the 89th Student Congress
were sworn into office by Matt Liles, chief jus
tice of the Student Supreme Court.
The evening culminated with the inaugura
tion of Eve Carson, who assumed the office of
student body president from James Allred to a
standing ovation from all officers on stage.
“I’ve loved UNC since my first week here,”
Carson said to an audience of about 50 stu
dents and family members. “This year will be
a year of growth and inclusion.”
The night was filled with many thank yous
and congratulations. Outgoing leaders touted
the experience and dedication of the incoming
officers, who in turn praised their predeces
sors.
The outgoing officers gave brief speeches
to sum up their terms and introduced those
SEE INAUGURATION, PAGE 7
ANALYSIS
GOP break with Bush follows national shift
BY STEPHEN LARGEN
STAFF WRITER
At first glance, U.S. Sen. Chuck
Hagel, R-Neb., and U.S. Rep. Walter
Jones, R-N.C., hardly seem like the
most likely politicians to oppose
President Bush’s Iraq War policies.
For one thing, both are conser
vative Republicans who usually
vote in harmony with President
Bush’s social policies. The pair also
have strong military ties.
Jones represents the coastal third
district, which is home to Marine
Corps installations Camp Lejeune
and Cherry Point. Asa result, his
district has been one of the most
f 7/ •
www.daUytaihßel.com |
Senior Class President Meg Petersen tears up during her
speech, while thanking her vice president Eric Schmidt.
®l Visit our Web site
I for a video report
U.S. Rep.
Walter Jones
represents a
military district
and has come
out strongly
against the war.
hard-hit by the war in Iraq.
Hagel was a decorated infan
tryman during the Vietnam War.
But sure enough, Hagel and
Jones have become the most out
spoken Republicans against Bush’s
war stances.
In summer 2005 Jones and
campus I page 6
DIVIDING WALL
A wall is constructed outside of
Davis Library, on which students
can write stereotypes. The display
aims to raise awareness about
the effect of such words.
Hagel first began to question
openly the administration’s tac
tics, rhetoric and execution of the
war. Both since have become more
vociferous in their criticism.
Hagel went so far as to broach
the “I” word in a March interview
with Esquire magazine, saying
“Before this is over, you might see
calls for his impeachment.”
While Jones has received
less attention than Hagel in the
national media, his behind-the
scenes work has had a similar
impact on the House.
In January, he co-sponsored a
resolution to require congressional
Sports I page 9
SENIOR LEADERSHIP
Senior Christine Robella will
lead the UNC gymnastics team
during regional competition
as it attempts to reach NCAA
Nationals for the first time.
CARSON EAGER
TO BEGIN WORK
ON PROMISES
BY SERGIO TOVAR
STAFF WRITER
Since Student Body President Eve Carson was elect
ed in February, her schedule has been full.
She started shadowing former Student Body
President James Allred two days after her victory and
has attended numerous meetings and student govem-
ment functions in the meantime.
“He’s a busy guy,” said Carson,
who took office Tuesday. “So I’ve
been a busy girl.”
But now it’s time for Carson to
take control of student govern
ment’s top post and stand on her
own.
“Everyone learns so much, and
she’s no exception,” Allred said. “I
think she’s going to be ready to take
over.”
changing
'if the m
guard
A closer look
at the SBP
transition
Carson said she’s nervous and excited to assume the
post.
She said one of her first orders of business is to break
down her platform into sections so that her adminis
tration knows what they need to implement immedi
ately, what they want to accomplish this summer and
SEE CARSON, PAGE 7
approval before using force in Iran.
In February, he voted with 10 other
House Republicans for a resolution
opposing the surge of more than
20,000 additional troops to Iraq.
Jones was an early supporter of
the war, and a sponsor of the now
infamous “freedom fries” campaign,
a decision he now rues.
“I have been involved in the jus
tification to get us into Iraq,” he
said. “I regret my vote.”
Jones said he has sent hand
signed letters to the family of
every U.S. soldier killed in Iraq.
Over the last two years, Jones
and Hagel have developed a rela
this day in history
APRIL 4,1967...
A freshman is named UNC's
representative to the National .
Student Committee for Victory in
Vietnam, dedicated to unlimited
bombing of North Vietnam.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2007
tionship and respect for each
other’s war opposition. Both now
favor a troop redeployment.
“I don’t think the president has a
plan for victory,” Jones said. “If you
say that the definition of victory is
the end of people fighting, we could
be there for 25 years,” he added,
calling the situation a “civil war.”
“If they’re not willing to fight for
their country, why should we con
tinue to spend blood and money?”
Although he criticizes the
administration’s handling of the
war, Jones said he will not consider
SEE BREAK, PAGE 7
weather
■dltfV T-Storms
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