Cheney Says Bush Will Veto Pro-Union Bill

The Politico ^ | Februrary 14, 2007

[RWR8189]

President Bush will veto pending legislation aimed at boosting union strength, Vice President Cheney told National Association of Manufacturers members at a Wednesday breakfast meeting to kick off the group’s lobbying efforts.

The “Employee Free Choice Act,” currently making its way through the House, would change the process of union elections. Under the measure, if a majority of workers in a workplace sign cards authorizing a union, then the workers would get a union. Under current law, even when a majority of workers ask for union representation, their employers can force them to undergo an election process administered by the National Labor Relations Board. Supporters contend the proposal would strengthen unions against unfair management tactics. Opponents warn that the measure is an effort by unions to exert undue influence after years of waning support.

The manufacturers’ coalition seeks to kill the bill, among a list of four legislative priorities for the 110th Congress. The House Education and Labor Committee is scheduled to mark up the legislation Wednesday.

Cheney, who donned a pink tie for the Valentine’s Day address, also said economic growth would grow from private sector efforts, not the government.

“Nobody can sit in an office in Washington, D.C. and decide to create prosperity,” he said.

The vice president defended the Bush tax cuts as fueling the economy’s recovery over the past five years. During his 20-minute speech the crowd applauded Cheney’s vow that the Bush administration would continue to push for the end of the so-called “death tax.”

Pat Cleary, senior vice president for communications at NAM, told the crowd of about 200 manufacturers that their industry drives the broader economy, contributing 12 percent of the nation’s GDP and three-fifths of research and development.

“We’re not asking for a handout,” he said. “What we want is for government to get out of our way.”

In addition to blocking the union proposal, other NAM legislative priorities include energy policy overhaul, making permanent a research and development tax credit and free trade, Cleary said.

But he warned the crowd to be wary of promises extended by legislators.

“They’re going to tell you they’re friends of ours,” he said. “Some of them aren’t telling the truth.”

Tiffany Adams, head of corporate and public affairs for NAM, said about 600 members traveled to Washington for the three-day lobbying effort, the fifth time NAM has hosted the series since 1999.

[RWR8189]

Damn that RINO Bush!

[aynrandfreak]

I'm happy about this, as long as he doesn't later cave when they make a minor change just to show how bi-partisan he can be.

[longhorn too]

i'm pretty sure this is a good thing!

[GeorgiaDawg32]

petitions are public, elections are secret..so, joe blow could sign the petition FOR a union (to satisify his pro-union buddies), then vote NO in the election (because he doesn't want one but claim he voted yes to avoid retribution from his pro-union buddies)..

[jaydubya2]

My union has been pushing this BIG TIME:

This article can be found at: http://www.usw.org/usw/program/content/2840.php?lan=en

The Employee Free Choice Act

Workers wanting to form a union in this country routinely come under attack from anti-union employers – and the union-busters they hire – who use heavy-handed and oftentimes illegal tactics to derail organizing campaigns. The more employers are allowed to get away with these tactics, the more we are all hurt, especially when it comes to our jobs. We can see this every day as the fight for decent wages, secure benefits and job security becomes tougher and tougher. It will not get better until our freedom to form a union is restored. During Organizing Campaigns: 25% of private-sector employers illegally fire workers for union activity, 75% of private-sector employers hire anti-union consultants or union-busters, In an overwhelming number of organizing campaigns, employers force employees to attend mandatory anti-union meetings with their supervisors, and In 32% of cases where employees win a union election, they still have no contract two years after the election. It is Time to Fix Our Broken Laws The Employee Free Choice Act (HR 1696 and S 842) levels the playing field: Employers will no longer be able to dominate the process of forming a union -- Because the EFCA allows for "card check" (allowing workers that want a union the ability to sign cards in order to show their support), employers are denied the extra time they need to intimidate workers into voting no. Ensures a first contract through mediation and arbitration if necessary -- Employers will no longer be able to stall bargaining for years in order to "bust" a new union! Provides tougher penalties for law-breaking employers -- The EFCA ensures that penalties have teeth rather than the slap on the wrist we see today.

[ShawTaylor]

"Cheney Says Bush Will Veto Pro-Union Bill"

Excellent!

[A. Pole]

President Bush will veto pending legislation aimed at boosting union strength, Vice President Cheney told National Association of Manufacturers members at a Wednesday breakfast meeting to kick off the group’s lobbying efforts.

Bump

[Beagle8U]

The unions want this law so they can intimidate workers into signing cards, its not the other way around.

If given a free private choice the workers will reject the communist unions every time!

[A. Pole]

If given a free private choice the workers will reject the communist unions every time!

What about non-communist unions?

[Constantine XIII]

LOL, regardless of what some people say, W is a gift that keeps on giving.

[Beagle8U]

Every union is based on communism. Equal pay regardless of out put.

[Tinian]

[A. Pole]

Every union is based on communism.

Solidarity too?

[Beagle8U]

"Solidarity too?"

I've never heard of the solidarity union, but if its a union it is based on the principals of communism.

[shempy]

What about non-communist unions?

There is no such thing.

[A. Pole]

I've never heard of the solidarity union, but if its a union it is based on the principals of communism.

You do not appear to be very knowledgable?

[A. Pole]

My union has been pushing this BIG TIME:

This article can be found at:

http://www.usw.org/usw/program/content/2840.php?lan=en

"The Employee Free Choice Act

Workers wanting to form a union in this country routinely come under attack from anti-union employers – and the union-busters they hire – who use heavy-handed and oftentimes illegal tactics to derail organizing campaigns. The more employers are allowed to get away with these tactics, the more we are all hurt, especially when it comes to our jobs. We can see this every day as the fight for decent wages, secure benefits and job security becomes tougher and tougher. It will not get better until our freedom to form a union is restored.

During Organizing Campaigns: 25% of private-sector employers illegally fire workers for union activity,

[...]"

Thank you for the information.

[A. Pole]

My union has been pushing this BIG TIME:

This article can be found at:

http://www.usw.org/usw/program/content/2840.php?lan=en

"The Employee Free Choice Act

Workers wanting to form a union in this country routinely come under attack from anti-union employers – and the union-busters they hire – who use heavy-handed and oftentimes illegal tactics to derail organizing campaigns. The more employers are allowed to get away with these tactics, the more we are all hurt, especially when it comes to our jobs. We can see this every day as the fight for decent wages, secure benefits and job security becomes tougher and tougher. It will not get better until our freedom to form a union is restored.

During Organizing Campaigns: 25% of private-sector employers illegally fire workers for union activity,

[...]"

Thank you for the information.

[Beagle8U]

I guess I didn't consider what might be in some 3rd world country. Did the bill in Congress have anything at all to do with that union?

[RJL]

Cheney Says Bush Will Veto Pro-Union Bill

If the unions claim that there are some illegal aliens in the union, Bush will sign it in a heartbeat.