Staats Praises Passage of Bill Prohibiting Union Intimidation
HARRISBURG – Rep. Craig Staats (R-Bucks) joined his colleagues in voting for
House Bill 874, which negates a special state criminal code exception for business management and labor unions in the Commonwealth.
Currently, Pennsylvania’s criminal code, Title 18, exempts management and organized labor from prosecution for harassment, stalking and threatening to use weapons of mass destruction. It is illegal to call in a bomb scare, or stalk people or their kids, except if the caller or stalker is involved in a labor dispute.
Recent examples of this behavior have been brought to the forefront with federal indictments and convictions related to the December 2012 burning and vandalism of a Quaker meetinghouse construction site in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia.
“All people should be held to the same standard with regard to crime. Threats, stalking and harassment should not be tolerated as a byproduct of labor union negotiation activity. This bill will help keep people safe,” said Staats.
Peaceful labor activity, such as picketing or distribution of hand bills, are constitutionally protected and would not be prosecuted as harassment or stalking.
The bill awaits the governor’s signature to become law.
Representative Craig Staats
145th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Morgan Dux
717.260.6695
mdux@pahousegop.com
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