In the wake of today’s announcement by the Bureau of Labor Statistics that there has been a decline in union membership, Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis took the opportunity to
highlight the Obama Administration’s support for the misnamed
Employee Free Choice Act. The Administration currently faces bipartisan opposition to EFCA – otherwise known as “card check” – as the American people recognize this bill would undermine workers’ rights and damage the economy and the nation’s job creators.
“Never wishing to let a crisis go to waste, the Obama Administration continues to use America’s troubled economy and the ongoing plight of American workers to promote the wishes of their special interest allies,” said Rep. John Kline (R-MN), Senior Republican on the Education and Labor Committee. “This is one of the clearest examples of this Administration’s efforts to foster a culture of favoritism in their labor agenda. They are choosing winners and losers in this economy by promoting the interests of some workers over others – whether it be in the realm of workers’ rights, health care, or employment opportunities. ‘Card check’ remains a threat to job creation, and it would be irresponsible for Washington Democrats to pursue this policy.”
By championing EFCA, Secretary Solis is contradicting testimony delivered yesterday during a forum hosted by Education and Labor Committee Republicans to examine the ongoing culture of favoritism in the Obama Administration. In his prepared testimony, Stephen Worth, President and CEO of Worth & Company, Inc. – a merit shop mechanical contractor in Pennsylvania – had this to say about EFCA:
“Why, when the United States spends enormous resources abroad to foster free and private elections around the world, would some in Congress believe it a good idea to strip that right away from American workers?”
# # #
