FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Rhonda Bentz
May 4, 2009 (202) 580-7289
CARD CHECK “COMPROMISE” MEANS
WORKER RIGHTS ARE COMPROMISED
EFCA compromise is still EFCA
The Coalition for a Democratic Workplace (CDW) today said that union efforts to trump up a so-called “compromise” on the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) will further violate worker rights and place an undue burden on small businesses. With growing bipartisan opposition to card check legislation, Big Labor and their allies are scrambling to cut a deal that keeps EFCA alive. The two most controversial EFCA compromise proposals involve instant elections and expanding union access to employees during the work day.
“There can be no compromise on eliminating the rights of workers to vote by private ballot in union organizing elections. CDW will oppose any federal legislation that deprives American workers of the ability to make a fully informed decision and exercise their right to vote in a secret ballot election without fear of intimidation or recrimination,” said Brian Worth, chairman of the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace.
Backroom deals to save EFCA under the guise of "compromise" are non-starters for workers and small businesses. There is no difference between the anti-worker card check scheme and so-called quickie elections which would penalize small businesses and workers. They both deny workers the opportunity to hear important arguments on each side before a secret ballot election is held. For small employers who are focused on running their businesses, quickie elections deny them the time to ensure that the process is fair. Giving professional union organizers even more access to workers is equally as troubling. Current laws allows for union organizers to contact workers outside the workplace, such as making visits to an employee’s home. Conversely, employers are not allowed to contact employees during non-work hours. Why should businesses be required to subsidize union organizing activities?
“Unfortunately, the EFCA compromise schemes like giving unions unprecedented workplace access are another attack on worker privacy, as the tactics used often lead to harassment by union organizers. Furthermore, these compromises do considerable harm to small businesses, putting unnecessary government burdens on their ability to create new jobs,” added Worth.
A recent study by noted economist Anne Layne-Farrar found that enactment of the Employee Free Choice Act would result in 600,000 lost jobs for every 1.5 million new union members which has been predicted by union leaders. This would lead to millions of jobs lost in subsequent years.
EFCA has experienced a series of significant setbacks since the beginning of the year. Introduction of the bill was surprisingly delayed for several weeks while supporters scrambled to enlist an adequate number of co-sponsors. Even with Democratic electoral gains in the House and Senate, there are fewer legislative co-sponsors this year than in the previous Congress. And more and more lawmakers are raising sincere concerns about the impact of the mandatory binding arbitration provision on jobs and the economy. Key senators, including Democrats Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas have announced their opposition to the bill. Moreover, a growing number of influential House Democrats have signaled their resistance on the grounds that the economy cannot absorb the negative economic consequences of EFCA.
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.
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