Secret Ballot Watch

You can add South Dakota to the growing list of states that are taking a stand against the Employee Free Choice Act.

Two state lawmakers said Thursday they will introduce a joint resolution preserving the secret ballot in South Dakota when the Legislature meets in January. If adopted, it will appear on the Mount Rushmore State’s 2010 ballot. The Argus Leader has the details here:  

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“State Senate Majority Leader Dave Knudson, who also is running for governor, and House Majority Leader Bob Faehn of Watertown will introduce a bill in the next Legislature that would put the issue before state voters. The measure would amend the state constitution to require secret ballots in all political and labor organizing elections.

“The move is aimed at blunting the federal Employee Free Choice Act, which would let a majority of employees at a company organize a union by signing cards, a change from current practice that allows employers to mandate elections by secret ballot. …

“Knudson argues that the card check bill takes away the right to privacy. ‘It opens the door to potential intimidation and forced unionization,’ he said.”

Harriman, “Proposal targets union organizing,” Argus Leader (Sioux Falls, S.D.), 09.25.09 

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If successful, South Dakota will join Arizona in allowing voters to protect the secret ballot. Missouri is also attempting to do the same. Meanwhile, in California, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a card check law similar to EFCA four times.

It’s not often that so many states act on a single issue. Clearly, they see that the secret ballot is important to their citizens. Why can’t EFCA supporters see this as well?

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