/PRNewswire / -- The Michigan Chamber of Commerce today called on Democrats in Michigan's Congressional Delegation to rethink their support of the deceptively-named Employee Free Choice Act, better known as the Card Check legislation.
"Now is not the time to enact legislation that will make it easier for union bosses to organize workplaces by eliminating secret-ballot elections and requiring binding arbitration of contract disputes," said Wendy Block, Director of Health Policy and Human Resources for the Michigan Chamber. "Despite its nice-sounding name, the Employee Free Choice Act will actually deprive job providers and workers of their democratic rights."
"This legislation is proposed in the name of 'fixing' our nation's labor laws, but it's actually little more than political payback for union bosses who want an unfair advantage in organizing activities," noted Jim Holcomb, Vice President of Business Advocacy and Associate General Counsel for the Michigan Chamber. "Those serving in Congress who care more about the health of our economy than politics should do everything in their power to prevent passage of this harmful legislation."
"This is a moment of truth for our lawmakers in Washington DC," Block said. "There are few legislative proposals that would be more damaging than the card check legislation, which is in violation of our nation's Democratic principles and seeks to deny every American of their right to a private ballot in union organizing elections in the workplace."
"It's hard to believe that this legislation is a priority in Congress as our nation's economy continues to struggle," said Holcomb.
"Congress needs a wake-up call and to refocus their efforts on putting forward policies that will encourage economic growth, rather than inhibit it," Holcomb concluded.
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Showing posts with label employee free choice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label employee free choice. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
Coalition for a Democratic Workplace Calls on Senator Warner to Clarify Position on Anti-Worker Card Check Bill
/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Coalition for a Democratic Workplace (CDW) today called on Senator Warner to remove any uncertainty surrounding his position on the Employee Free Choice Act. The Employee Free Choice Act -- or "card check" bill will effectively eliminate secret ballots for workers in union organizing elections and bind employers to contracts that inhibit their ability to create much-needed new jobs.
"Senator Warner can't have it both ways by voting for cloture and voting against final passage. For workers, a vote for cloture is a vote to take away their right to a secret ballot," said Brian Worth with the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace.
Cloture is an important procedural vote in the Senate that ends debate on a particular piece of legislation and allows it to proceed to a vote for final passage. Sixty votes are required for cloture, whereas a simple majority is needed for final legislative passage. As a result, if the Employee Free Choice Act receives 60 cloture votes, it will pass the Senate. A vote for cloture is a vote for the bill.
Recent press reports and statements have raised questions about whether Senator Warner will vote for or against this anti-worker legislation:
"Virginia's new Sen. [Mark] Warner, continues to maintain radio silence about his party's No. 1 priority: the card check bill. Perhaps that's an indication he harbors doubts about the measure. But it would be even better if Warner would publicly announce his opposition."
- Where's Warner? Richmond Times-Dispatch editorial, January 7, 2009
"Besides the high stakes nationally -- and the rise of labor's political clout -- the card-check issue has created a unique conundrum for Virginia's freshman senator, Mark R. Warner. Unlike Sen. Jim Webb, a fellow Virginia Democrat who co-sponsored the bill, Warner refused to take a clear position on EFCA during his fall campaign. ...In a prepared statement for Virginia Business, Warner says, "I believe there is a need for reform in this area, and this legislation should be debated and voted upon by the Senate."
"Privacy and the secret ballot elections are at stake for millions of American workers and they deserve a clear, straightforward answer from Senator Warner about his position on the Employee Free Choice Act," said Worth.
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"Senator Warner can't have it both ways by voting for cloture and voting against final passage. For workers, a vote for cloture is a vote to take away their right to a secret ballot," said Brian Worth with the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace.
Cloture is an important procedural vote in the Senate that ends debate on a particular piece of legislation and allows it to proceed to a vote for final passage. Sixty votes are required for cloture, whereas a simple majority is needed for final legislative passage. As a result, if the Employee Free Choice Act receives 60 cloture votes, it will pass the Senate. A vote for cloture is a vote for the bill.
Recent press reports and statements have raised questions about whether Senator Warner will vote for or against this anti-worker legislation:
"Virginia's new Sen. [Mark] Warner, continues to maintain radio silence about his party's No. 1 priority: the card check bill. Perhaps that's an indication he harbors doubts about the measure. But it would be even better if Warner would publicly announce his opposition."
- Where's Warner? Richmond Times-Dispatch editorial, January 7, 2009
"Besides the high stakes nationally -- and the rise of labor's political clout -- the card-check issue has created a unique conundrum for Virginia's freshman senator, Mark R. Warner. Unlike Sen. Jim Webb, a fellow Virginia Democrat who co-sponsored the bill, Warner refused to take a clear position on EFCA during his fall campaign. ...In a prepared statement for Virginia Business, Warner says, "I believe there is a need for reform in this area, and this legislation should be debated and voted upon by the Senate."
"Privacy and the secret ballot elections are at stake for millions of American workers and they deserve a clear, straightforward answer from Senator Warner about his position on the Employee Free Choice Act," said Worth.
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Wednesday, January 21, 2009
National Movement to Protect Secret Ballots in State Constitutions: Save Our Secret Ballot Launches in GA, OK, SC, SD and ND
/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With Congress poised to act to end the secret ballot rights of employees choosing representation, a national movement to protect the secret ballot in state constitutions launched today in Washington DC and in five states. Entitled SOS Ballot - Save Our Secret Ballot - the new group announced its efforts to place before voters a secret ballot constitutional amendment in Georgia, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota and North Dakota, with the expectation that additional states will be announced in the coming weeks.
SOS Ballot National Advisory Board Chairman and former Congressman Ernest Istook said, "Most of us assume voting by secret ballot in America is a constitutional right that has always existed and always will. But neither is the case. With America's right to a secret ballot under serious threat, I'm proud to be part of a citizens' movement to give voters the opportunity to vote by secret ballot, to amend state constitutions to guarantee the right of a secret ballot. We know some in Congress and some from big labor will fight this effort or even arrogantly say the people do not have a right to vote to protect their secret ballot. But rather than deter us, we take this as the proof that we must work diligently in every state to protect and re-affirm our secret ballot rights. The more vocal the opposition, the more every voter will see why we must act immediately, lest we lose the secret ballot and return to the time when voter intimidation and even physical harm were common place."
The initiative language was written by noted attorney and constitutional scholar Clint Bolick, director of the Goldwater Institute's Scharf-Norton Center for Constitutional Litigation. The Goldwater Institute has pledged its efforts for legal defense of the language if challenged. The 47-word amendment says:
"The right of individuals to vote by secret ballot is fundamental. Where state or federal law requires elections for public office or public votes on initiatives or referenda, or designations or authorizations of employee representation, the right of individuals to vote by secret ballot shall be guaranteed."
The SOS Ballot National Advisory Board Members include*
Ernest Istook, Chairman, Former member of Congress
Gilbert Baker, Arkansas State Senator, Former ARGOP Chair
Clint Bolick, Goldwater Institute, Director Scharf-Norton Center for Constitutional Litigation
Jonathan Johnson, President, Overstock.com
Adam Hasner, Florida House Majority Leader
Paul Jacob, Citizens in Charge, Founder US Term Limits
John Loudon, Missouri State Senator
Mark Meierhenry, Former South Dakota Attorney General
Brian M Johnson, Executive Director, Alliance for Worker Freedom
Sydney Hay, President, Arizona Mining Association
* associations used for identification purposes only, please check http://www.sosballot.org/ for contact info for state leaders
Secret Ballot History
The secret ballot was used locally as an act of post-Civil war southern reconstruction, first as a way to impose a literacy requirement on newly freed slaves. But the secret ballot also protected mostly black voters who faced physical intimidation, even lynching depending on how their vote was cast. Secret ballots were first used statewide in the Massachusetts governor's race 1888 and nationally in 1892 to elect President Grover Cleveland.
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SOS Ballot National Advisory Board Chairman and former Congressman Ernest Istook said, "Most of us assume voting by secret ballot in America is a constitutional right that has always existed and always will. But neither is the case. With America's right to a secret ballot under serious threat, I'm proud to be part of a citizens' movement to give voters the opportunity to vote by secret ballot, to amend state constitutions to guarantee the right of a secret ballot. We know some in Congress and some from big labor will fight this effort or even arrogantly say the people do not have a right to vote to protect their secret ballot. But rather than deter us, we take this as the proof that we must work diligently in every state to protect and re-affirm our secret ballot rights. The more vocal the opposition, the more every voter will see why we must act immediately, lest we lose the secret ballot and return to the time when voter intimidation and even physical harm were common place."
The initiative language was written by noted attorney and constitutional scholar Clint Bolick, director of the Goldwater Institute's Scharf-Norton Center for Constitutional Litigation. The Goldwater Institute has pledged its efforts for legal defense of the language if challenged. The 47-word amendment says:
"The right of individuals to vote by secret ballot is fundamental. Where state or federal law requires elections for public office or public votes on initiatives or referenda, or designations or authorizations of employee representation, the right of individuals to vote by secret ballot shall be guaranteed."
The SOS Ballot National Advisory Board Members include*
Ernest Istook, Chairman, Former member of Congress
Gilbert Baker, Arkansas State Senator, Former ARGOP Chair
Clint Bolick, Goldwater Institute, Director Scharf-Norton Center for Constitutional Litigation
Jonathan Johnson, President, Overstock.com
Adam Hasner, Florida House Majority Leader
Paul Jacob, Citizens in Charge, Founder US Term Limits
John Loudon, Missouri State Senator
Mark Meierhenry, Former South Dakota Attorney General
Brian M Johnson, Executive Director, Alliance for Worker Freedom
Sydney Hay, President, Arizona Mining Association
* associations used for identification purposes only, please check http://www.sosballot.org/ for contact info for state leaders
Secret Ballot History
The secret ballot was used locally as an act of post-Civil war southern reconstruction, first as a way to impose a literacy requirement on newly freed slaves. But the secret ballot also protected mostly black voters who faced physical intimidation, even lynching depending on how their vote was cast. Secret ballots were first used statewide in the Massachusetts governor's race 1888 and nationally in 1892 to elect President Grover Cleveland.
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Friday, January 9, 2009
Republican National Committee: Will Rep. Hilda Solis Face Questions About Her Own Support for Secret Ballots for Congress But Not for Workers?
/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following was released today by the Republican National Committee:
Today, The U.S. Senate Will Hold A Hearing For President-Elect Obama's Department Of Labor Nominee, Rep. Hilda Solis (D-CA):
Solis Will Be Testifying At Her Senate Confirmation Hearing On Friday. "On Friday, Mr. Kennedy's panel will question Representative Hilda Solis, who has been chosen to be the Labor Secretary." (Kate Philips, "Confirmation Hearings Update," The New York Times' "The Caucus" Blog, thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com, 1/7/09)
In 2007, Solis Signed A Letter Protesting The Absence Of A Secret Ballot For The Congressional Hispanic Caucus' Election:
Solis Joined Other Female Democrats To Protest The Fact That The Congressional Hispanic Caucus' Election Was Held Without The Traditional Secret Ballot. "[Rep. Loretta] Sanchez said that beyond the personal problems she has with Baca, the fact that the caucus' election was held without the traditional secret ballot was a key issue she has with the group. Sanchez, her sister, Rep. Linda Sanchez, and Reps. Nydia Velazquez, D-N.Y. and Hilda Solis, D-El Monte, wrote a letter to Baca on Jan. 5 calling for a new election." (Dena Bunis, "Sanchez's Ears Burning," The Orange County Register, 2/2/07)
-- The Letter Argued That "It Is Imperative That Our Caucus' Integrity Be
Unquestioned." "'As we prepare for the 110th Congress in which the
Congressional Hispanic Caucus will have the opportunity to play a more
prominent role, we believe it is imperative that our Caucus' integrity
be unquestioned,' they said in the letter. The letter got no
response." (Dena Bunis, "Sanchez's Ears Burning," The Orange County
Register, 2/2/07)
But Solis Supports The "Employer Free Choice Act," Which Would Get Rid Of The Secret Ballot For Workers:
Solis Co-Sponsored The "Employer Free Choice Act." (H.R. 800, Introduced 2/5/07)
Solis: "I rise in support of H.R. 800, the Employee Free Choice Act. As the daughter of union family -- my father was a Teamster and my mother worked tirelessly for twenty five years -- I know that my seven siblings and I would not be where we are today without the wages, health coverage and retirement benefits my parents received." (Rep. Hilda Solis, "Rep. Solis Issues Statement In Support Of H.R.800, Employee Free Choice Act," Press Release, 3/1/07)
Solis: "The Employee Free Choice Act provides more protections for workers, and levels the playing field for those who want to join a union. I urge you to vote for H.R.800." (Rep. Hilda Solis, "Rep. Solis Issues Statement In Support Of H.R.800, Employee Free Choice Act," Press Release, 3/1/07)
Solis Received High Marks From Labor Unions:
Solis Has A 97 Percent Lifetime Rating From The AFL-CIO. (AFL-CIO Website, www.aflcio.org, Accessed 1/8/09)
-- In 2007, Solis Received A 100 Percent Rating From The AFL-CIO.
(AFL-CIO Website, www.aflcio.org, Accessed 1/8/09)
Solis Has A 100 Percent Career Rating From AFSCME. (AFSCME Website, www.afscme.org, Accessed 1/8/09)
In 2008, Solis Received A 100 Percent Rating From SEIU. (SEIU Website, capwiz.com, Accessed 1/8/09)
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Today, The U.S. Senate Will Hold A Hearing For President-Elect Obama's Department Of Labor Nominee, Rep. Hilda Solis (D-CA):
Solis Will Be Testifying At Her Senate Confirmation Hearing On Friday. "On Friday, Mr. Kennedy's panel will question Representative Hilda Solis, who has been chosen to be the Labor Secretary." (Kate Philips, "Confirmation Hearings Update," The New York Times' "The Caucus" Blog, thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com, 1/7/09)
In 2007, Solis Signed A Letter Protesting The Absence Of A Secret Ballot For The Congressional Hispanic Caucus' Election:
Solis Joined Other Female Democrats To Protest The Fact That The Congressional Hispanic Caucus' Election Was Held Without The Traditional Secret Ballot. "[Rep. Loretta] Sanchez said that beyond the personal problems she has with Baca, the fact that the caucus' election was held without the traditional secret ballot was a key issue she has with the group. Sanchez, her sister, Rep. Linda Sanchez, and Reps. Nydia Velazquez, D-N.Y. and Hilda Solis, D-El Monte, wrote a letter to Baca on Jan. 5 calling for a new election." (Dena Bunis, "Sanchez's Ears Burning," The Orange County Register, 2/2/07)
-- The Letter Argued That "It Is Imperative That Our Caucus' Integrity Be
Unquestioned." "'As we prepare for the 110th Congress in which the
Congressional Hispanic Caucus will have the opportunity to play a more
prominent role, we believe it is imperative that our Caucus' integrity
be unquestioned,' they said in the letter. The letter got no
response." (Dena Bunis, "Sanchez's Ears Burning," The Orange County
Register, 2/2/07)
But Solis Supports The "Employer Free Choice Act," Which Would Get Rid Of The Secret Ballot For Workers:
Solis Co-Sponsored The "Employer Free Choice Act." (H.R. 800, Introduced 2/5/07)
Solis: "I rise in support of H.R. 800, the Employee Free Choice Act. As the daughter of union family -- my father was a Teamster and my mother worked tirelessly for twenty five years -- I know that my seven siblings and I would not be where we are today without the wages, health coverage and retirement benefits my parents received." (Rep. Hilda Solis, "Rep. Solis Issues Statement In Support Of H.R.800, Employee Free Choice Act," Press Release, 3/1/07)
Solis: "The Employee Free Choice Act provides more protections for workers, and levels the playing field for those who want to join a union. I urge you to vote for H.R.800." (Rep. Hilda Solis, "Rep. Solis Issues Statement In Support Of H.R.800, Employee Free Choice Act," Press Release, 3/1/07)
Solis Received High Marks From Labor Unions:
Solis Has A 97 Percent Lifetime Rating From The AFL-CIO. (AFL-CIO Website, www.aflcio.org, Accessed 1/8/09)
-- In 2007, Solis Received A 100 Percent Rating From The AFL-CIO.
(AFL-CIO Website, www.aflcio.org, Accessed 1/8/09)
Solis Has A 100 Percent Career Rating From AFSCME. (AFSCME Website, www.afscme.org, Accessed 1/8/09)
In 2008, Solis Received A 100 Percent Rating From SEIU. (SEIU Website, capwiz.com, Accessed 1/8/09)
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Thursday, January 8, 2009
Coalition for a Democratic Workplace Calls on 111th Congress to Oppose Anti-Worker Employee Free Choice Act
/PRNewswire/ -- The 500-member Coalition for a Democratic Workplace (CDW) today (January 7) released a letter it delivered to every member of the 111th Congress. In the letter, CDW urged members of the Senate and House "to oppose all efforts to pass any provision included in the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA H.R. 800/S. 1041 in the 110th Congress)."
"We wanted to take the opportunity to remind members of Congress of the overwhelming opposition from the business community, their constituents and union households to this anti-worker legislation," said Brian Worth with the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace. "This bill is a job-killer and fundamentally undemocratic."
The letter also stated:
"This legislation poses not only an assault on an individual's
right to privacy, but a direct threat to economic growth and job
creation. Particularly at a time of economic uncertainty, Congress
should not enact measures that threaten our economic
competitiveness, including the Employee Free Choice Act.
Furthermore, this legislation would have a particularly
devastating impact on small employers who are the primary source
for new jobs in our economy."
President-elect Obama's Administration and the new Congress will face its first true test early next year in the form of the anti-worker Employee Free Choice Act -- that allows unionization without secret ballots for workers. This Act, more aptly titled the Employee "Forced" Choice Act, is nothing short of a full-frontal assault on American democracy and worker privacy. Backed by union special interests and their Congressional allies, the anti-worker bill would effectively strip employees of the right to vote in private when deciding whether or not to join a union.
"It's ironic that members of Congress, all of whom were just elected by secret ballot, would even consider legislation that would remove that right for millions of American workers," added Worth.
CDW survey data indicates that support for maintaining private ballots in union organizing cuts across party lines. By a significant majority, Democrats, Republicans and Independents support maintaining a worker's right to cast their vote in private. Even among union households, a significant majority (69%) oppose the Employee Free Choice Act. And 76% of union voters say having a federally supervised secret ballot election is the best way to protect workers' rights when organizing a union.
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"We wanted to take the opportunity to remind members of Congress of the overwhelming opposition from the business community, their constituents and union households to this anti-worker legislation," said Brian Worth with the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace. "This bill is a job-killer and fundamentally undemocratic."
The letter also stated:
"This legislation poses not only an assault on an individual's
right to privacy, but a direct threat to economic growth and job
creation. Particularly at a time of economic uncertainty, Congress
should not enact measures that threaten our economic
competitiveness, including the Employee Free Choice Act.
Furthermore, this legislation would have a particularly
devastating impact on small employers who are the primary source
for new jobs in our economy."
President-elect Obama's Administration and the new Congress will face its first true test early next year in the form of the anti-worker Employee Free Choice Act -- that allows unionization without secret ballots for workers. This Act, more aptly titled the Employee "Forced" Choice Act, is nothing short of a full-frontal assault on American democracy and worker privacy. Backed by union special interests and their Congressional allies, the anti-worker bill would effectively strip employees of the right to vote in private when deciding whether or not to join a union.
"It's ironic that members of Congress, all of whom were just elected by secret ballot, would even consider legislation that would remove that right for millions of American workers," added Worth.
CDW survey data indicates that support for maintaining private ballots in union organizing cuts across party lines. By a significant majority, Democrats, Republicans and Independents support maintaining a worker's right to cast their vote in private. Even among union households, a significant majority (69%) oppose the Employee Free Choice Act. And 76% of union voters say having a federally supervised secret ballot election is the best way to protect workers' rights when organizing a union.
-----
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