Employee Free Choice Act: An Insult to American Workers

With the so-called stimulus bill heading toward some resolution, I suspect that the attention of some Democrats on the Hill is starting to head in other directions. According to some indications, it appears as though the next item on the agenda, other than the new bank bailout monstrosity, will be the Employee Free Choice Act. This is shaping up to be another battle...

Somebody needs to make a TV ad:

A sad factory worker sits at a table, looking down, clearly troubled. The camera has a head-on view.

A short, stumpy and well-shadowed cigar-chomping boss comes up behind (never mind whether he’s a foreman or a union organizer) and stands behind him, arms folded.

The boss plops a card on the table in front of the worker.

“We need every vote, Bob.” (Boss rubs his hands slowly together. The worker is visibly conflicted, his eyes go back and forth as if he is trapped) “We need you to sign it right now.” (exasperated sigh) “It all comes down to you.......here’s the pen” (the Boss sets a pen down, point down and holds it firmly) “......Sign.... it.” (he taps the card with the pen).

Cut away to a truck driver.

Truck driver explains:

“Some people believe that ordinary working people need ‘help,’ in the form of intimidation, to do the right thing. The reason we have secret ballots is so that people, in this case a worker trying to decide whether or not to have a union in his workplace, can decide according to their conscience, rather than according to outside pressure.”

The so-called “Employment Freedom of Choice Act” doesn’t give freedom. It takes away freedom. Call Senator Bennet and explain to him why it is wrong for him to allow intimidation of workers..... in the name.... of Freedom.”

Part of my workplace was unionized a long time ago, before I worked there. The unionized employees got screwed by the union which ignored them after they signed on. They got tired of the added expense of union dues that didn’t bring them anything in return. It only took a year before they voted to leave the union and it has left a sour taste in their mouths ever since.

Serves them right.

The union tried to get into Ford Aerospace in 1989 (I voted no). They were defeated soundly. Ford did sell to Martin Marietta within a few years and later Lockheed-Martin emerged.

It’s just a business within a business that has no place. Global forces will kill union competition.

The Employee Free Choice Act (card check) is costing jobs now. Many employers are facing the difficult task of what to do with their excess workforce in these slow economic times. Many are choosing to have a traditional layoff. My own company has been forced to have a layoff. However, fear of passage of the Employee Free Choice Act is forcing some companies to make the difficult decision to permanently fire employees. These fired employees will not have recall rights. If they are rehired, they will have to start all over for wages and benefits. Why is this? Fired employees can not be a part of a unionization campaign. If they have signed cards or sign cards in the future, these cards will not count under the EFCA. Most employers believe the 'card check' legislation will pass this year. President Obama supports this legislation and democrats control both houses of Congress. The House of Representatives has already passed this legislation. Employers are terrified of how easy it will be to unionize their workforces when this law passes. They are taking every step possible to prevent this from occurring. Unfortunately, this has a bad effect on employees who are being downsized. You can find information about what the Employees Free Choice Act(card check) is and how to fight back against 'card check' here.

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