The so-called Employee Free Choice Act is in trouble. It has been rejected by the American public – union and non-union households alike – and it has come under fire from opinion leaders and a growing number of elected officials in Washington and around the country.
Now, in a desperate bid to resuscitate the controversial scheme, a coalition has been manufactured to feign the appearance of support for the bill among America’s small businesses:
"Business Leaders for a Fair Economy is a new coalition of small-business owners and entrepreneurs backing the legislation, which would make union organizing easier. Put together by labor groups like the AFL-CIO and Change to Win, the coalition represents an attempt to fracture the business community’s campaign against the bill, which depicts the card-check measure as hurtful to economy because it would lead to more job losses.”
Bogardus, “Unions seek help from Main Street,” The Hill, 06.03.09
But consider what small businesses themselves have to say on the matter:
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Card-Check Agreements Bad for Employees and Small Business NFIB strongly opposes the deceptively named Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) or “card check” because it mandates employers recognize labor unions without first holding a private-ballot employee election.
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NSBA Urges Caution on Card Check Bill Contrary to proponents’ claims that the Employee Free Choice Act—commonly known as the card check bill—would aid in economic recovery, this bill stands to further burden the true centers of economic growth and job creation: small business.
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New Study: Small Business Owners Believe EFCA Hurts Job Creation While many small business owners lack information about EFCA, what they do understand they do not like.
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Small Businesses and Community Leaders Blitz Capitol Hill in Opposition to Card Check Bill The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today led nearly 200 local business and community leaders from Pennsylvania, Virginia, Louisiana, and Nebraska to Capitol Hill to meet with their senators and representatives and voice opposition to legislation that would effectively eliminate workers’ right to a private ballot election in union organizing drives.
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400+ Local Businesses Say So-Called “Employee Free Choice Act” Thwarts Worker Rights The Manufacturers’ Association of Northwest Pennsylvania, along with the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), SMC Business Councils and other Pennsylvania businesses, have joined forces in a letter presented to Senators Arlen Specter and Bob Casey opposing the so-called “Employee Free Choice Act” (EFCA). The letter is signed by more than 431 Pennsylvania companies, employing more than 91,400 workers and representing 49 counties in the Commonwealth. This legislation passed the House of Representatives in March.
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Chambers Lobby Against Card Check Legislation The Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce is in Washington D.C. today with a delegation of Chamber members to lobby Indiana's elected officials against proposed card check union organizing legislation. The controversial bill would eliminate the private ballot, give the federal government power to dictate workplace pay and benefits and force unfair mandates on small business.
These small businesses have plenty of cause for concern. An economic analysis released in March predicted that the U.S. economy could lose 600,000 jobs in the first year alone if card check became law.
And with small businesses just as vulnerable to the harsh effects of card check as larger companies, it’s easy to understand why an overwhelming number of small businesses are opposed to this controversial plan.
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