Labor Commissioner Democratic runoff Tuesday

I originally voted for Mary Fant Donnan, but lately I have been considering voting for John C Brooks.  The Independent Weekly dismissed him with the insinuation that the Hamlet Imperial Foods chicken plant fire that killed 25 workers in 1991 was his fault because it was never inspected in the 11 years it operated, during which time (1977-1993) Brooks was Commissioner of Labor.  He says it was not a registered plant, thus it was never inspected, and that this could happen again today.  He told the N&O that interference by other agencies and "lack of resources" also had a role.  I looked into his positions more after seeing his letter in the Independent last week.  Donnan has more endorsements, such as from the State AFL-CIO and the People's Alliance, and seems to have good positions, but she served as policy advisor under Harry Payne, who succeeded Brooks, and cancelled Brooks' decision to make the NC Building Code an OSHA standard, as a reform after the Hamlet fire.  

 

I tried to find out the candidates' positions on legalizing collective bargaining with public workers in NC before the primary, but few if any came out for it. Monday in the N&O their views were made more explicit, though neither mentions it on their campaign website.  Donnan has not stated her view on the issue and might not in the future, and apparently sees the Department of Labor filling some of the functions unions usually have.  When asked her opinion on unions, she said "It's like asking 'What do you think of employers?'  They have been very supportive of me, and I have been supportive of making sure that they can bring their voice and perspective to the table.  It's a good way to have accountability on both sides."  For a department set up to safeguard the "health, safety and general well-being" of workers, I would like to see more skepticism of employers from the Commissioner of Labor, to say the least, but that won't happen in this election and so I just hope incumbent Republican Cherie Berry is voted out.   

 

On the other hand the article says Brooks is "wholeheartedly" for allowing collective bargaining and he is even quoted as saying "It saddens me that this is such an anti-union state."  Talk is cheap, but I am still encouraged by his stand, and considering changing my vote, and I am posting this in case it will help anyone else decide. 

 

Brooks received 24.4% of the primary vote, while Donnan won with 27.5%.  Brooks told the N&O that this runoff will help educate people about the work of the Department of Labor.  I can say that personally this election has been enlightening.