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Tuesday, May 12, 2009 8:30 PM CDT
LETTER: 'Employee Free Choice' misnamed, bad policy



The U.S. Congress is currently considering the poorly-named “Employee Free Choice Act.” If enacted, this law would do exactly the opposite of its name. It would take free choice away from workers and business to the benefit of big labor unions.

The International Labor Organization and its Committee on Freedom of Association says a secret ballot election is the preferred means for workers to select a union for themselves. Labor unions are pushing EFCA because the union would be able to eliminate secret ballot election in favor of “authorization cards.”

Under EFCA, however, the authorization cards reveal the identity of the signer. That revelation creates a risk of reprisal, even if the reprisal comes from those who support the union rather than those who oppose it or the employer. Worse, union officials would be allowed to stand by while asking the worker to immediately sign the card. Does this sound like Free Choice?

Secret ballot union elections have been the rule and norm throughout the United State for well over a half century. Would you rather have a free choice secret ballot, or have a union supporter standing by your side while you make a decision?

EFCA would force mandatory federal arbitration if workers and the company cannot agree to a contract within 120 days. It would take away workers right to strike and impose a contract written by a federal arbitrator. Does this sound like Free Choice?

Mandatory arbitration would remove the right for workers and business to bargain for pay, benefits, and work rules they deem important. All contract terms would be decided by an arbitrator who has never worked in that business.

The arbitrator would disengage all parties from the bargaining table and independently set contract terms. Workers would have no opportunity or vote to approve or reject the contract; it would simply be imposed for 2 years. This goes completely against the idea of voluntary collective bargaining and removes the right to strike. Does this sound like Free Choice?

I submit to you that the Employee Free Choice Act is misnamed as well as very bad public policy for workers and companies.

If you support secret ballot elections and voluntary collective bargaining, please call your U.S. Senator and Representative and ask them to oppose “Card Check” legislation and the EFCA.

 


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Tom Andres wrote on May 14, 2009 1:36 PM:

" Show me a labor union that brings a well-trained, more productive worker to the labor force and I'll support it; but I still insist on a secret ballot when I cast my vote!

The reason unionized labor is shrinking in the private sector is because union negotiators seldom bring anything of value to the table except demands against the employer for higher employment costs.

Let's say a supply company submits a bid for standard grade raw materials at a higher price than its competitor. Would anyone expect management to buy the higher-priced materials? Of course not.

I hate to say it, but just like raw materials, labor is a commodity. The day union leadership offers a more productive work force, and disciplines itself to guarantee it, management will buy it hook line and sinker. "

Harry Potter wrote on May 17, 2009 8:42 AM:

" Show me a labor union that brings a well-trained, more productive worker to the labor force and I'll support it...

Guess you've never heard of the trade union training and apprentice programs, huh? "

 


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