Anti-Worker Card Check Bill Finally Introduced With Wavering Support
Union effort to remove secret ballots faces significant roadblocks
WASHINGTON, March 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Coalition for a Democratic Workplace (CDW) today issued the following statement on the introduction of the deceptively titled Employee Free Choice Act, or "card check" bill:
"Despite all the rhetoric coming from Big Labor, it's clear that effectively eliminating secret ballots for workers in union organizing elections has become too politically radioactive for members of Congress to support. The number of EFCA co-sponsors actually decreased this year, even with increased Democratic majorities in both houses of Congress."
"In addition to the attack on worker privacy, new data indicates that the EFCA will actually cost jobs. A recent study by noted economist Dr. Anne Layne-Farrar found that by 2010, the legislation will result in the elimination of 600,000 jobs, and lead to similar job cuts in subsequent years. Denying workers secret ballots coupled with the economics of card check suggests this job-killing legislation is running into significant roadblocks and is no longer a legislative priority in the first 100 days."
"Adding insult to injury, new CDW polling shows opposition to EFCA from rank and file union workers: 85% of union households favor having a federally supervised election as a means to 'protect the individual rights of workers' and clearly see secret ballot elections as a basic right and 65% of union members would be less likely to vote for a member of Congress who voted to take away the secret ballot. Further exemplifying union worker distaste for the Employee Free Choice Act, 72% agreed that the binding arbitration provision in the legislation is 'unwise' and 'risky'."
"Just like no worker wants their vote to be made public, fewer and fewer members of Congress want to publicly identify themselves with anti-worker legislation that effectively removes secret ballots and binds employers to contracts that inhibit their ability to create much-needed new jobs. CDW applauds those members who chose not to co-sponsor this undemocratic legislation."
About the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace
The Coalition for a Democratic Workplace is made up of more than 500 associations and organizations from every state across the nation that have joined together to protect a worker's right to a private ballot when deciding whether to join a union. In 2008, CDW embarked on a multi-million dollar public education campaign in key states that included polling, television, radio and internet ads and direct mail. For more information and a listing of our membership, please visit www.MyPrivateBallot.com.
