Obama signs order to protect contract workers

As part of the creation of the Middle Class Working Families Task Force, President Barack Obama signed three executive orders designed to protect contractor employees and the position of unions.

One executive order will guarantee that qualified employees will keep their jobs even if a contract changes hands. “We shouldn’t deprive the government of these workers who have so much experience in making government work,” he said, during a White House ceremony.

Another order will block reimbursement of federal contractors who spend money trying to influence the the formation of unions.

Federal contractors also will be required to inform employees of their collective bargaining and other rights under the National Labor Relations Act.

Before the November elections, Obama sent letters to government union leadership pledging to support collective bargaining rights.