Posted on 03/05/2009 7:11:44 AM PST by yoe
Buttressed by a new statement of support from President Obama, union leaders said today they are confident that the Employee Free Choice Act would be introduced in Congress in the next few weeks and that they had the 60 votes needed to break a Senate filibuster -- that is, if Al Franken is seated.
"We're confident right now that we have majority support," said Bill Samuel, the AFL-CIO's legislative director, speaking in a conference call from the AFL-CIO's executive council meeting in Miami. The bill would be introduced in "days if not weeks," he said. "We've been engaged in a marathon on this, and now we're ready to sprint."
The legislation, by far the top priority for organized labor, would make it easier to form unions because it gives workers the option of organizing by having workers sign cards of support, instead of going through secret-ballot elections that labor leaders say can be marked by intimidation by employers. The legislation would require employers to submit to binding arbitration if they were unable to agree to a contract within 90 days after a union's formation.
Business groups and Republicans are strongly opposed to the bill, often dubbed "card-check." They say it would expose workers to intimidation by union organizers and would hurt employers at a time when they are already reeling from the recession. The Chamber of Commerce and other groups are spending heavily to run ads against the bill and to drum up opposition in states that are home to senators who may be on the fence. Unions are countering with their own media and grass-roots campaign, although they have been somewhat distracted by nasty internal rifts within two of the biggest unions, the Service Employees International Union and UNITE-HERE, which represents garment and hotel workers.
(Excerpt) Read more at voices.washingtonpost.com ...
When George McGovern says it is bad, it is real bad..
The problem is that the unions are all staffed up with ignorant hillbillies working as union organizers.
That makes it easier for the lawyers and CPAs at the top layers to loot the membership dues.
That will not change.
I’ll bet the unions can’t wait to have all those unemployed members.
A continual union talking point is that this card-check system will not stop secret ballots. That point is true.
The fact is that it will render secret ballots useless.
The sad thing is that I can’t even imagine that union members want this. If I were still an AFL-CIO member I would say “hell no” and can’t imagine that many of my co workers would have gone for this either.
Small business will take another huge hit with this along with raising taxes on those over $250,000
yeh.....GREAT IDEA....it is working so well for GM, FORD, CHRYLER,
Stupid commies.
"Binding arbitration" - agree to union thug demands, or a government thug who loves unions and hates businesses will dictate the terms of your contract.
If I was ever threatened with this, I would fire everyone ... probably the day I was notified that Card-Check had created a union that thought I had to deal with them. Union thugs deserve unemployment, and those too weak to stand up to evil will have to suffer along with those who are overtly evil. Unfortunately, those who refuse to be intimidated by union thugs lose their jobs too, but my guess is they're the ones who can find a great job quickly, regardless of the economy.
I've dealt with unions, as a young worker physically threatened by their thugs (I didn't support unionization and quit a job I liked on their recommendation, because "a lot of accidents happen on a job site like this"), but I won't back down from them ever again.
It sucks when I can’t complain to any of my elected representatives that this is a bad idea because they already oppose it. I feel helpless.
This union member doesn’t want it. Our union leadership is bombarding us with propaganda on EFCA.
No, union membership will increase as a percentage of the work force. The largest unionized group is government employees - that includes teachers. Even as companies shed employees, government continues, unabated at most levels. Zero has promised a civilian security force of democrat brownshirts. This is where he will fulfill his promise to “create or save” millions of jobs. The newly unemployed will be absorbed by the expanding morass of government.
Obama promised to get card check through when he spoke to the CIO in Florida.
Exactly. Every time I see the ad he’s done again this proposal I shudder- he’s a liberal’s liberal. His strong critisism of it should really wake some people up...
the union is just the new communist party. You will be unable to get a government job unless you are a member of the party/union.
remember the largest union is government employees.
Businesses need to build up a cash reserve, if possible, by doing some “turtling up” -
and, do as you say. The minute the card check creates a union, fire EVERYONE and close the doors.
Re-organize under a new business entity, and start hiring.
this is true. I worked for a labor union for years and saw the quality of employees steadily decline because of affirmative action hiring. It got to the point that it was hard to find someone to promote to any kind of executive position, who wasn’t a joke.
If it weren’t for the secretaries correcting the grammar and inanities of the correspondence of these ‘leaders’ ...
It’s a sad thing because these were smart, good people when I started.
As the need for unions declined, the union leadership declined faster.
Obama\Pelosi\Reid have overreached with this communist agenda. The whispers are now leaking out and open rebellion is in the air when it comes to less left leaning Senators and Congressmen. This bill like the Fairness Doctrine is dead. Even Snow\Collins and Specter have gone on record saying they would not support it. When lefty Pubbies like them are dead set against it you know it’s bad. The demagoguery points aren’t there with this , does’nt make good sound bite material for Rahm and his toadies. Another feign by Obama for something bigger. Playing rope a dope. This will work it’s way through the news cycle and Obama will be back to spending more money we dont have by next week. Card check just does’nt have the propaganda appeal like a big fat bloated money giveaway like the stimulus package. No enthusiasm for this bill beyond rust belt dreamers and AFL-CIO types.
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