“Working people should lead this country” U.S. Senate Candidate Karishma testifies to protect collective bargaining
Manzur testified against HB 1704, which would weaken workers’ rights across the state
CONCORD, NH – (January 28, 2026) Yesterday, U.S. Senate Candidate Karishma Manzur publicly testified against HB 1704: Permitting public employees to bargain individually with public employers without any intervention. The bill would weaken workers’ ability to collectively bargain with their employers and mirrors Right-to-Work laws that would weaken unions by starving them financially.
“I believe working people should lead this country,” said Karishma Manzur in her testimony. “Weakening collective bargaining won’t save money; it will create a bureaucratic nightmare. It will drive up administrative costs, destabilize labor relations, and ultimately push expenses onto towns and cities. And when local costs rise, property taxes rise.”
Industries like ironwork are the bedrock of New Hampshire, but also dangerous, with a fatality rate of 37 deaths per 100,000 workers and the need for proper workplace safety. Without the ability to collectively bargain and unionize, ironworkers would not be able to receive workers' compensation, proper health care, or retirement benefits, and could not push for safe working conditions.
Collective bargaining is necessary not just for the health of the economy, but for the health of New Hampshire workers.
“New Hampshire has always believed in fairness, local control, and standing up for working people. HB 1704 violates those values…Now and in the future, we must continue to fight for workers' rights. Because strong workers mean strong communities, and strong communities mean a stronger New Hampshire.”