Governor Perdue Speaks to AFL-CIO about North Carolina Workers’ Compensation
Earlier this week, NC Governor Beverly Perdue spoke at length to 100 members of North Carolina’s AFL-CIO about North Carolina worker’s compensation and other critical issues. Gov. Perdue sounded a battle-ready tone as she defended her record of freezing spending, eliminating positions in the state government, stripping benefits programs, and making other Spartan accommodations to jumpstart the state’s economy and attract new businesses to town.
Governor Perdue and the AFL-CIO have been lobbying hard to prevent corporate and insurance interests from enacting legislation that would end North Carolina workers’ compensation benefits for injured workers after 500 weeks. The Governor said: “the AFL-CIO really understands what’s at stake…our future is at stake. Every decision that will take resources away from your child and my child’s public school is a bad decision.”
According to an AP report, North Carolina’s union membership is just 3% – around four times smaller than the national average.
Whether or not business interests enact changes to the North Carolina worker’s compensation system, the governor’s battle with the newly GOP-dominated state legislature seems poised to create political sparks. The Governor seems more than willing to put on her boxing gloves, if her spirited 20 minute speech to the union offers an indication of her fight-readiness.
Benefits issues make for good political theater, but hurt and sick workers care little for these battles over the system. They merely want to get maximum assistance for their injuries/disabilities and get on a path to getting back to work as quickly as possible.
If you or a family member needs help compelling an employer or insurer to provide benefits, consult immediately with a skilled North Carolina workers’ compensation law firm.
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