US business group vows fight over union organizing

**meganmonkey** · 01-05-2007

By Kevin Drawbaugh
ReutersReuters

Jan 4, 2007 — WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The largest U.S. business lobbying group on Thursday vowed to oppose Democrats who want to make it easier for workers to join unions — an issue shaping up as one of the new Congress' first big fights.

As Democrats took control on Capitol Hill, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce also warned that union pension funds could abuse any legislation that might emerge to give shareholders more clout in corporate boardrooms and on setting executive pay.

Briefing reporters one day after news that Home Depot Inc. Chairman Robert Nardelli's abrupt resignation came with a $210 million severance package, chamber president Tom Donohue said he expects a vigorous debate in the new Congress over executive pay and shareholder rights.

But he warned of a "serious problem" if lawmakers move to give shareholders more boardroom power and union pension funds take advantage of it to advance nonbusiness political goals.

On the question of making it easier for workers to organize, Donohue said: "We will go all out to oppose union efforts … They will have a major fight on their hands."

more...

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2770865

**meganmonkey** · 01-05-2007

By Kevin Drawbaugh
ReutersReuters

Jan 4, 2007 — WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The largest U.S. business lobbying group on Thursday vowed to oppose Democrats who want to make it easier for workers to join unions — an issue shaping up as one of the new Congress' first big fights.

As Democrats took control on Capitol Hill, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce also warned that union pension funds could abuse any legislation that might emerge to give shareholders more clout in corporate boardrooms and on setting executive pay.

Briefing reporters one day after news that Home Depot Inc. Chairman Robert Nardelli's abrupt resignation came with a $210 million severance package, chamber president Tom Donohue said he expects a vigorous debate in the new Congress over executive pay and shareholder rights.

But he warned of a "serious problem" if lawmakers move to give shareholders more boardroom power and union pension funds take advantage of it to advance nonbusiness political goals.

On the question of making it easier for workers to organize, Donohue said: "We will go all out to oppose union efforts … They will have a major fight on their hands."

more...

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2770865

**meganmonkey** · 01-05-2007

By Kevin Drawbaugh
ReutersReuters

Jan 4, 2007 — WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The largest U.S. business lobbying group on Thursday vowed to oppose Democrats who want to make it easier for workers to join unions — an issue shaping up as one of the new Congress' first big fights.

As Democrats took control on Capitol Hill, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce also warned that union pension funds could abuse any legislation that might emerge to give shareholders more clout in corporate boardrooms and on setting executive pay.

Briefing reporters one day after news that Home Depot Inc. Chairman Robert Nardelli's abrupt resignation came with a $210 million severance package, chamber president Tom Donohue said he expects a vigorous debate in the new Congress over executive pay and shareholder rights.

But he warned of a "serious problem" if lawmakers move to give shareholders more boardroom power and union pension funds take advantage of it to advance nonbusiness political goals.

On the question of making it easier for workers to organize, Donohue said: "We will go all out to oppose union efforts … They will have a major fight on their hands."

more...

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2770865

**meganmonkey** · 01-05-2007

By Kevin Drawbaugh
ReutersReuters

Jan 4, 2007 — WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The largest U.S. business lobbying group on Thursday vowed to oppose Democrats who want to make it easier for workers to join unions — an issue shaping up as one of the new Congress' first big fights.

As Democrats took control on Capitol Hill, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce also warned that union pension funds could abuse any legislation that might emerge to give shareholders more clout in corporate boardrooms and on setting executive pay.

Briefing reporters one day after news that Home Depot Inc. Chairman Robert Nardelli's abrupt resignation came with a $210 million severance package, chamber president Tom Donohue said he expects a vigorous debate in the new Congress over executive pay and shareholder rights.

But he warned of a "serious problem" if lawmakers move to give shareholders more boardroom power and union pension funds take advantage of it to advance nonbusiness political goals.

On the question of making it easier for workers to organize, Donohue said: "We will go all out to oppose union efforts … They will have a major fight on their hands."

more...

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2770865

**meganmonkey** · 01-05-2007

By Kevin Drawbaugh
ReutersReuters

Jan 4, 2007 — WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The largest U.S. business lobbying group on Thursday vowed to oppose Democrats who want to make it easier for workers to join unions — an issue shaping up as one of the new Congress' first big fights.

As Democrats took control on Capitol Hill, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce also warned that union pension funds could abuse any legislation that might emerge to give shareholders more clout in corporate boardrooms and on setting executive pay.

Briefing reporters one day after news that Home Depot Inc. Chairman Robert Nardelli's abrupt resignation came with a $210 million severance package, chamber president Tom Donohue said he expects a vigorous debate in the new Congress over executive pay and shareholder rights.

But he warned of a "serious problem" if lawmakers move to give shareholders more boardroom power and union pension funds take advantage of it to advance nonbusiness political goals.

On the question of making it easier for workers to organize, Donohue said: "We will go all out to oppose union efforts … They will have a major fight on their hands."

more...

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2770865

**meganmonkey** · 01-05-2007

By Kevin Drawbaugh
ReutersReuters

Jan 4, 2007 — WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The largest U.S. business lobbying group on Thursday vowed to oppose Democrats who want to make it easier for workers to join unions — an issue shaping up as one of the new Congress' first big fights.

As Democrats took control on Capitol Hill, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce also warned that union pension funds could abuse any legislation that might emerge to give shareholders more clout in corporate boardrooms and on setting executive pay.

Briefing reporters one day after news that Home Depot Inc. Chairman Robert Nardelli's abrupt resignation came with a $210 million severance package, chamber president Tom Donohue said he expects a vigorous debate in the new Congress over executive pay and shareholder rights.

But he warned of a "serious problem" if lawmakers move to give shareholders more boardroom power and union pension funds take advantage of it to advance nonbusiness political goals.

On the question of making it easier for workers to organize, Donohue said: "We will go all out to oppose union efforts … They will have a major fight on their hands."

more...

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2770865

**meganmonkey** · 01-05-2007

By Kevin Drawbaugh
ReutersReuters

Jan 4, 2007 — WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The largest U.S. business lobbying group on Thursday vowed to oppose Democrats who want to make it easier for workers to join unions — an issue shaping up as one of the new Congress' first big fights.

As Democrats took control on Capitol Hill, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce also warned that union pension funds could abuse any legislation that might emerge to give shareholders more clout in corporate boardrooms and on setting executive pay.

Briefing reporters one day after news that Home Depot Inc. Chairman Robert Nardelli's abrupt resignation came with a $210 million severance package, chamber president Tom Donohue said he expects a vigorous debate in the new Congress over executive pay and shareholder rights.

But he warned of a "serious problem" if lawmakers move to give shareholders more boardroom power and union pension funds take advantage of it to advance nonbusiness political goals.

On the question of making it easier for workers to organize, Donohue said: "We will go all out to oppose union efforts … They will have a major fight on their hands."

more...

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2770865

**meganmonkey** · 01-05-2007

By Kevin Drawbaugh
ReutersReuters

Jan 4, 2007 — WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The largest U.S. business lobbying group on Thursday vowed to oppose Democrats who want to make it easier for workers to join unions — an issue shaping up as one of the new Congress' first big fights.

As Democrats took control on Capitol Hill, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce also warned that union pension funds could abuse any legislation that might emerge to give shareholders more clout in corporate boardrooms and on setting executive pay.

Briefing reporters one day after news that Home Depot Inc. Chairman Robert Nardelli's abrupt resignation came with a $210 million severance package, chamber president Tom Donohue said he expects a vigorous debate in the new Congress over executive pay and shareholder rights.

But he warned of a "serious problem" if lawmakers move to give shareholders more boardroom power and union pension funds take advantage of it to advance nonbusiness political goals.

On the question of making it easier for workers to organize, Donohue said: "We will go all out to oppose union efforts … They will have a major fight on their hands."

more...

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2770865

**meganmonkey** · 01-05-2007

By Kevin Drawbaugh
ReutersReuters

Jan 4, 2007 — WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The largest U.S. business lobbying group on Thursday vowed to oppose Democrats who want to make it easier for workers to join unions — an issue shaping up as one of the new Congress' first big fights.

As Democrats took control on Capitol Hill, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce also warned that union pension funds could abuse any legislation that might emerge to give shareholders more clout in corporate boardrooms and on setting executive pay.

Briefing reporters one day after news that Home Depot Inc. Chairman Robert Nardelli's abrupt resignation came with a $210 million severance package, chamber president Tom Donohue said he expects a vigorous debate in the new Congress over executive pay and shareholder rights.

But he warned of a "serious problem" if lawmakers move to give shareholders more boardroom power and union pension funds take advantage of it to advance nonbusiness political goals.

On the question of making it easier for workers to organize, Donohue said: "We will go all out to oppose union efforts … They will have a major fight on their hands."

more...

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2770865

**meganmonkey** · 01-05-2007

By Kevin Drawbaugh
ReutersReuters

Jan 4, 2007 — WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The largest U.S. business lobbying group on Thursday vowed to oppose Democrats who want to make it easier for workers to join unions — an issue shaping up as one of the new Congress' first big fights.

As Democrats took control on Capitol Hill, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce also warned that union pension funds could abuse any legislation that might emerge to give shareholders more clout in corporate boardrooms and on setting executive pay.

Briefing reporters one day after news that Home Depot Inc. Chairman Robert Nardelli's abrupt resignation came with a $210 million severance package, chamber president Tom Donohue said he expects a vigorous debate in the new Congress over executive pay and shareholder rights.

But he warned of a "serious problem" if lawmakers move to give shareholders more boardroom power and union pension funds take advantage of it to advance nonbusiness political goals.

On the question of making it easier for workers to organize, Donohue said: "We will go all out to oppose union efforts … They will have a major fight on their hands."

more...

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2770865

**meganmonkey** · 01-05-2007

By Kevin Drawbaugh
ReutersReuters

Jan 4, 2007 — WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The largest U.S. business lobbying group on Thursday vowed to oppose Democrats who want to make it easier for workers to join unions — an issue shaping up as one of the new Congress' first big fights.

As Democrats took control on Capitol Hill, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce also warned that union pension funds could abuse any legislation that might emerge to give shareholders more clout in corporate boardrooms and on setting executive pay.

Briefing reporters one day after news that Home Depot Inc. Chairman Robert Nardelli's abrupt resignation came with a $210 million severance package, chamber president Tom Donohue said he expects a vigorous debate in the new Congress over executive pay and shareholder rights.

But he warned of a "serious problem" if lawmakers move to give shareholders more boardroom power and union pension funds take advantage of it to advance nonbusiness political goals.

On the question of making it easier for workers to organize, Donohue said: "We will go all out to oppose union efforts … They will have a major fight on their hands."

more...

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2770865

**meganmonkey** · 01-05-2007

By Kevin Drawbaugh
ReutersReuters

Jan 4, 2007 — WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The largest U.S. business lobbying group on Thursday vowed to oppose Democrats who want to make it easier for workers to join unions — an issue shaping up as one of the new Congress' first big fights.

As Democrats took control on Capitol Hill, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce also warned that union pension funds could abuse any legislation that might emerge to give shareholders more clout in corporate boardrooms and on setting executive pay.

Briefing reporters one day after news that Home Depot Inc. Chairman Robert Nardelli's abrupt resignation came with a $210 million severance package, chamber president Tom Donohue said he expects a vigorous debate in the new Congress over executive pay and shareholder rights.

But he warned of a "serious problem" if lawmakers move to give shareholders more boardroom power and union pension funds take advantage of it to advance nonbusiness political goals.

On the question of making it easier for workers to organize, Donohue said: "We will go all out to oppose union efforts … They will have a major fight on their hands."

more...

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2770865

**meganmonkey** · 01-05-2007

By Kevin Drawbaugh
ReutersReuters

Jan 4, 2007 — WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The largest U.S. business lobbying group on Thursday vowed to oppose Democrats who want to make it easier for workers to join unions — an issue shaping up as one of the new Congress' first big fights.

As Democrats took control on Capitol Hill, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce also warned that union pension funds could abuse any legislation that might emerge to give shareholders more clout in corporate boardrooms and on setting executive pay.

Briefing reporters one day after news that Home Depot Inc. Chairman Robert Nardelli's abrupt resignation came with a $210 million severance package, chamber president Tom Donohue said he expects a vigorous debate in the new Congress over executive pay and shareholder rights.

But he warned of a "serious problem" if lawmakers move to give shareholders more boardroom power and union pension funds take advantage of it to advance nonbusiness political goals.

On the question of making it easier for workers to organize, Donohue said: "We will go all out to oppose union efforts … They will have a major fight on their hands."

more...

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2770865

**meganmonkey** · 01-05-2007

By Kevin Drawbaugh
ReutersReuters

Jan 4, 2007 — WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The largest U.S. business lobbying group on Thursday vowed to oppose Democrats who want to make it easier for workers to join unions — an issue shaping up as one of the new Congress' first big fights.

As Democrats took control on Capitol Hill, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce also warned that union pension funds could abuse any legislation that might emerge to give shareholders more clout in corporate boardrooms and on setting executive pay.

Briefing reporters one day after news that Home Depot Inc. Chairman Robert Nardelli's abrupt resignation came with a $210 million severance package, chamber president Tom Donohue said he expects a vigorous debate in the new Congress over executive pay and shareholder rights.

But he warned of a "serious problem" if lawmakers move to give shareholders more boardroom power and union pension funds take advantage of it to advance nonbusiness political goals.

On the question of making it easier for workers to organize, Donohue said: "We will go all out to oppose union efforts … They will have a major fight on their hands."

more...

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2770865

**marshwren** · 01-05-2007