Employee Free Choice Act: Lobbyists in Washington to Fight it

[one...two...tree 2,762]

It's on: the Employee Free Choice Act will be introduced in both the Senate and House this afternoon. Supporters of the bill held a press conference today at the Capitol, and the lead sponsors each released statements. Here's Sen. Ted Kennedy, EFCA's lead sponsor in the Senate:

The current crisis has shown us the dangers of an economy that leaves working families behind. The people who work in our factories, build our roads, and care for our children are the backbone of this great nation. The Employee Free Choice Act will give these hardworking men and women a greater voice in the decisions that affect their families and their futures. It's a critical step toward putting our economy back on track, and I hope that we can act quickly to send it to the President's desk.

And here's Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, an ardent opponent of the bill:

The right to a secret ballot is one which has been protected in America for hundreds of years because we know the value of political expression without fear of coercion. The attempt by some Democrats to take away this fundamental right goes against the ideals of political freedom upon which our nation was founded.

Not only will this legislation invite harassment and intimidation into the work place, it could also cost America even more jobs...

The bill would eliminate employer-mandated secret-ballot elections in the union organizing process, allowing workers to potentially form unions via petition. Labor likes it because it makes the organizing process easier; business alleges it will foster union intimidation. EFCA promises to be one of the more intense lobbying fights of the new Congress, with a Chamber of Commerce VP describing it as an "Armageddon" showdown between business and labor.

The lobbying fight has been on for some time now, but blitzes from both sides will likely follow after today's development. Right on cue, the Chamber led nearly 200 small business leaders to the Hill today to talk to their senators about it, and a similarly amped up effort from labor can be expected as well.

Update: Labor, it should be noted, had workers on the Hill today visiting congressional offices as well.

http://politics.theatlantic.com/2009/03/em...fight_is_on.php

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Wal-Mart Downgraded On "Card Check" Fears

Tax the rich: done. Tax polluters: done. Ram through gigantic federal spending porkulus: done.

The next stop on the Democratic/liberal wishlist is the so-called "card check" law that would make it easier for employees to unionize. Word is that President Obama is secretly concerned about the negative effects such a bill would have, but that if the House and Senate pass it, there's no way on earth he's bringing out the veto pen.

Anyway, an analyst at Citigroup has just downgraded red-hot retailer Wal-Mart (WMT), noting that legislation could be introduced in the House as early as today, and that if such a bill were passed, Wal-Mart would be the first union target.

Despite the Democrats' reliance on organized labor, this is still no sure thing. Already, some red-state Dems like Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas (hmm, what's the biggest employer in that state?) said they are hesitant to endorse the bill. Meanwhile, the party's heavy hitters in the business community like Warren Buffett have come out against it.

http://www.businessinsider.com/wal-mart-do...ck-fears-2009-3

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Bill, which part of you is Democrat?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Bill, which part of you is Democrat?

The part that likes porn and public nudity.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Bill, which part of you is Democrat?

The part that likes porn and public nudity.

[alienlovechild 75]

You know the Democrats have lurched so far to the left that even George McGovern thinks card check is undemocratic.

"The Employee Freedom Action Committee (EFAC) is running ads in “targeted markets and on national cable” featuring 1972 Democratic presidential nominee George McGovern decrying the card-check legislation that is currently being deliberated in the legislative branch.

The organization’s website calls the card-check “fundamentally wrong” and McGovern himself says in the ad, “I’ve always been a champion of labor unions, but I fear that today’s union leaders are turning their backs on democratic work place elections.” He adds, “I’ve listened to all their arguments, and I’ve reviewed the facts on both sides. Quite simply, this proposed law cannot be justified.”

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/200...06/1823891.aspx

[one...two...tree 2,762]

You know the Democrats have lurched so far to the left that even George McGovern thinks card check is undemocratic.

That's what the Right Wing Media wants you to believe. The polls show a different reality.

[peejay 327]

Who here on VJ has ever been in a union or walked the picket line in a strike? I have on both accounts.

That said, I don't like this card check bullshit. Having someone confront an employee and browbeating them into filling out a union card is bullshit. If the union cannot organize workers by secret ballot of the employees then the union is not wanted by them. Intimidation is no way to organize workers into becoming unionized. That's it in a nutshell. That's how I see it.

I worked in a union shop in Texas nearly 30+ years ago. Texas is "right to work" state. That means that the plant workers were represented by the union, but employees were not required to join the union or pay dues to work there. As a new employee I was intimidated from day one to join the union. You either did it or you were fvcked with until you joined. That's just the way it was then. In those days strikebreakers (scabs) that were hired by the company when we went on strike were regularly followed from the plant, intimidated, and/or beaten. That is what goes down when people fight for their jobs. It ain't pretty. Right or wrong, that's the way it was.

I still think unions have their place in America today, but the days of thuggery and intimidation should not be allowed back in like it was. This card check bullshit reeks of the strongarm days of the union I remember oh so well.

[alienlovechild 75]

You know the Democrats have lurched so far to the left that even George McGovern thinks card check is undemocratic.

That's what the Right Wing Media wants you to believe. The polls show a different reality.

Do you have the slightest clue who McGovern is? He's part of the right-wing media now?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

You know the Democrats have lurched so far to the left that even George McGovern thinks card check is undemocratic.

That's what the Right Wing Media wants you to believe. The polls show a different reality.

Do you have the slightest clue who McGovern is? He's part of the right-wing media now?

The Democratic Party has moved so far left that (insert whatever bogus claim made made). That's why highlighted that part in red. Just do a Google search and see how many hits you'll get with that phrase....with different anecdotal evidence.

[alienlovechild 75]

You know the Democrats have lurched so far to the left that even George McGovern thinks card check is undemocratic.

That's what the Right Wing Media wants you to believe. The polls show a different reality.

Do you have the slightest clue who McGovern is? He's part of the right-wing media now?

The Democratic Party has moved so far left that (insert whatever bogus claim made made). That's why highlighted that part in red. Just do a Google search and see how many hits you'll get with that phrase....with different anecdotal evidence.

So you don't know who McGovern is and why his opposition helps to establish a new look at the fulcrum on the left-right scale. Google "McGovern" for starters and your statement will make you look pretty silly.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

You know the Democrats have lurched so far to the left that even George McGovern thinks card check is undemocratic.

That's what the Right Wing Media wants you to believe. The polls show a different reality.

Do you have the slightest clue who McGovern is? He's part of the right-wing media now?

The Democratic Party has moved so far left that (insert whatever bogus claim made made). That's why highlighted that part in red. Just do a Google search and see how many hits you'll get with that phrase....with different anecdotal evidence.

So you don't know who McGovern is and why his opposition helps to establish a new look at the fulcrum on the left-right scale. Google "McGovern" for starters and your statement will make you look pretty silly.

alc, you made a qualifying statement - the Dems are moving so far left... it's anecdotal and a stupid argument.

[Ban Hammer 13,355]

Bill, which part of you is Democrat?

The part that likes porn and public nudity.

i just found out i'm a democrat. and i like lesbians too, so i must be a left wing democrat!

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Who wants a secret ballot anyway?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Bill, which part of you is Democrat?

The part that likes porn and public nudity.

i just found out i'm a democrat. and i like lesbians too, so i must be a left wing democrat!

Welcome aboard! It's okay for one part of your anatomy to party with the Dems, and use the other parts to think with. There is plenty of room on the porch for another blue dog. I'll just nudge that yellow dog a bit to make some room for ya!

Edited March 11, 2009 by Mister_Bill