Two Republican lawmakers in New Hampshire have resigned their leadership posts, citing deeply held disagreements with the GOP’s recent attacks on organized labor.

State Rep. Matt Quandt and House Whip Tim Copeland both said they simply could not sit idly by as pensions and bargaining rights were rolled back.

“[It] is evident now that pro-worker Republican views like mine are not respected under this leadership team,” Quandit said, according to reporter Aaron Sandborn with the Sea Coast Online.

ADVERTISEMENT

“What they’re doing, going after the public employees and pensions just isn’t right,” Copeland reportedly added.

Republicans in New Hampshire have pushed a pension reform plan that would significantly reduce benefits paid out to those who retire after Jan. 1, 2012. It also requires higher contributions from employees and extends how long they must pay into their pensions before taking advantage of them.

While the deal has not yet passed, negotiators are trying to strike a compromise that would allow public workers to remain unionized and bargain with employers.

Image credit: Flickr commons.