Labor Unions Question Saxby Chambliss

Labor Leaders now want U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss to stop trying to quash a subpoena related to the Imperial Sugar Explosion. 

Savannah Attorney Mark Tate, who represents several families, wants to depose Chambliss related to lawsuits stemming from the deadly event.

The AFL-CIO, which supports Chambliss' political opponent, Democrat Jim Martin, says it wants to know why Chambliss won't cooperate.           

"How is it that a U.S. Senator can not do everything in his power to seek the truth and bring those at fault to justice?  It's very simple, Senator Chambliss show up and answer the subpoena and help us find out what happened,” called out AFL-CIO member Stewart Acuff.

Chambliss' campaign answered back saying the AFL-CIO is working for Martin's election which leaves their objectivity questionable at best.

In a statement e-mailed to News 3 today, the Chambliss Campaign says:

"Jim Martin should be ashamed and if he had any decency or self-respect, he would immediately denounce the exploitation of this tragedy for partisan political gain.  People lost their lives, an entire community was devastated - and Jim Martin thinks it’s all just a game. His actions and comments, and those made on his behalf, wreak of nothing more than political opportunism.”

In the meantime, Tate, an active Democrat politically, filed an answer to Chambliss' motion to throw out the subpoena.

“The U.S. Supreme Court Case, the Brewster Case held in 1974, says that Congressman and Senators are not protected by the speech and debate clause for political activity, such as conducting press conferences and constituent outreach. The meeting Saxby Chambliss had with my clients is clearly either political or constituent outreach,” points out Tate.

Tate is answering a legal opinion released on behalf of the Chambliss Campaign last weekend that argues the Senator has immunity from such action because of rules related to Senate testimony and committee investigations.

We will, of course, stay on top of this developing debate for you.