Archive for July, 2009
Orlando Sentinel Unimpressed With Card Check Compromise
The Orlando Sentinel, which has been among the best editorial pages to keep an eye on the fight over the Employee Free Choice Act, takes a look at what “Son of EFCA” of “Card Check Lite” may be. Noting some efforts to strip the “card check” provision in the bill, the Sentinel’s editors say that’s not enough:
The bill would still give a government arbitrator the power to dictate wages and benefits for a business if management and labor can’t agree on a contract within 90 days. And in return for reviving secret ballots, supporters insisted on speeding up the timetable for elections so much that employees might not get a full and fair presentation from both sides before voting.
The editors are correct. Those unduly quick elections — some call them “quickie elections” and some are calling them “ambush elections” — have the same effect of “toxic” card check: they effectively rush the process so much as to make it a one-sided sales pitch from the union with no say by employers or time for employees to get sufficient information. And, of course, the paper is correct to note the equally toxic idea of government-imposed contract terms if a contract cannot be reached in 90 days — which is, under even the best of circumstances, unrealistic.
We’re glad editors are paying attention to the issue, and we hope that continuing to educate the public will avert any sort of legislation that harms employees, silences employers, and has a vast negative economic consequence leading to massive increase in job loss.
Rep. John Kline Stands Up For Workers on Card Check
Washington Examiner reporter Kevin Mooney has a great article on the problems with “compromise” or alternatives to the Employee Free Choice Act. Frankly, it’s hard to beat the explanation of Rep. John Kline, the new ranking Member of the House Committee on Education and Labor:
Employee Free Choice Act: Not Out Of The Woods Yet
EFCAreport.com has this item they are describing as a must-read for employers and their representatives and, we have to say, we agree with the assessment. Click over to check out “Former NLRB Chairman Gould Calls For Increased Penalties, Quicker Elections and Limited Arbitration, While Criticizing Current Version of EFCA.”
Card Check, The Musical (VIDEO)
Heh, we stumbled upon this great video on the Giving Tree known as YouTube. Enjoy!
“Why Quick Elections Are A Bad Idea”
EFCAreport.com has a great post with three strong reasons why the kind of “quickie” elections under consideration by politicians won’t make for good policy. The conclusion:
Of course, the reported expedited election proposal is not really about giving workers the opportunity to make informed choices or to avoid litigation. It is, as Mr. Newman admits, about giving unions an opportunity to increase their membership though ambush and silencing opposing views.
Adjusting To Renamed Card Check
Card check isn’t really dead, despite reports. It’s important to keep an eye on developments, so we’re continuing to track them.
A Harrisonburg, Virginia paper reminds readers:
So by agreeing to eliminate the








