On this day in Labor History the year was 1993.
That was the day that President Bill Clinton signed into law reforms to the Hatch Act.
The Hatch Act was passed in 1939.
It limited the political activity of federal employees.
The act was passed due to accusations of alleged political cronyism by Democrats on New Deal projects.
Half a century later, Congress loosened the restrictions.
In his speech signing the reform, President Clinton explained the changes, “The Federal Employees Political Activities Act, which I'm about to sign, will permit Federal employees and postal workers on their own time to manage campaigns, raise funds, to hold positions within political parties. Still, there will be some reasonable restrictions. They wouldn't be able to run for partisan political office themselves, for example.”
President Clinton described the importance of the changes, “We've been supporting democracy throughout the world…But here in our own country, millions of our own citizens have been denied one of the most basic democratic rights, the right to participate in the political process.”
He ended his remarks by saying, “I look forward to the infusion and Federal and postal employee energy, expertise, and dedication into our political system that this bill makes possible.”
Today under the regulations of the act, most employees can assist in voter registration drives, attend fundraisers, contribute money, and distribute campaign literature.
They can even run for office in non-partisan elections.
They cannot use their jobs to influence elections or engage in political activity while on the clock.
Today there remains a balancing act between protecting the free speech of federal employees, and keeping the government politically neutral.
March 6 - International Unemployed Day
March 5 -Lordstown Syndrome
March 4 - Mismanagement Kills an Airline
March 3 - Wildcat Strikes Hit Chrysler and Briggs
March 2 - Greyhound Bus Strike Begins
March 1 - The Hoover Dam Goes Public
February 28 - Fighting for Equal Pay
February 27 - The 1937 Woolworth Sit-Down
February 26 - The Battle at Bethlehem
February 25 - The Paterson Silk Strike Begins
February 24 - Muller v Oregon Decided
February 23 - Black Workers Lead Historic Strike at UNC
February 22 - Labelling Teachers as Terrorists
February 21 - The First Female Telephone Operator
February 20 - Angelina Grimke is Born
February 19 - Philly Street Car Workers Spark General Strike
February 18 - Anti-Slavery Begins in America
February 17 - Standing Up By Sitting Down
February 16 - The Wisconsin Uprising Begins
February 15 - The Uprising of the 20,000 Comes to a Close
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