Secret Ballot Watch

Enactment of the controversial card check scheme may be the highest priority of union bigwigs and many Washington Democrats wanting to provide payback for their political allies. But surely, the legislation is aimed at multi-national corporations and mammoth business interests with resources to engage in the complex negotiations and legal hurdles that come with card check organization … or is it? ... Read more »

The concept of card check – where everyone knows whether you wish to join a particular union, whether you want them to or not – is not the only reason why Americans are against the Employee Free Choice Act. There are plenty of bad ideas to go around in this proposal. One equally troubling – and lesser known – aspect of the bill is that it can deny workers the right to vote on their first contract.... Read more »

There are plenty of myths surrounding the so-called Employee Free Choice Act. But one of the most pervasive is the idea that the bill maintains workers’ right to a secret ballot. There’s just one problem: It’s just not true. Don’t believe us? Read the bill itself: “If the [National Labor Relations] Board finds that a majority of the employees in a unit appropriate for bargaining has signed valid a... Read more »

Thanks to the controversial card check plan, there is plenty of concern these days about workers’ privacy rights and employers’ ability to keep and create jobs in a struggling economy. But as the Wall Street Journal revealed last week, this unpopular legislation might not be the only looming threat: “Arlen Specter's party switch has renewed the debate over the legislative prospects for ‘card check... Read more »

Florida Senator Mel Martinez is the latest in a long line of lawmakers, opinion leaders, and American citizens to speak out against the anti-worker card check plan. Martinez penned an op-ed in today’s Politico detailing his opposition to the controversial plan: “Some ideas that come before Congress are better than others. But once in a while, even I am surprised by what is considered in the nation... Read more »

Faced with continued opposition among Americans from across the political spectrum, a top Senate proponent of the controversial card check plan yesterday threw down the gauntlet: either a “compromise” plan goes through, or a vote will be forced on the original plan. That’s not all. A so-called compromise would be jammed through the Senate without full consideration by the committee of jurisdiction... Read more »

Speculation continues over the prospects of a compromise on the controversial legislation known as card check. And while supporters of the unpopular plan try to paint their alternatives as reasonable, today’s Washington Post carries an op-ed from the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace’s Brian Worth that demonstrates otherwise— “Union leaders know that they do not have the votes necessary to over... Read more »

As if there wasn’t reason enough already, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel columnist Patrick McIlheran has identified yet another reason why Congress ought to preserve secret ballots in workplace organizing drives: they keep things honest. McIlheran’s column shares the story of Rian Wathen, a former union organizer who now works to beat organizing campaigns after being fired by his union for whistle-blo... Read more »

Faced with an unpopular product, supporters of the controversial Employee Free Choice Act are doing what any desperate marketer might: bringing in celebrity endorsements. “…the AFL-CIO recruited the star power of 47 actors, musicians, Broadway performers, comedians, writers, and others to support a bill in Congress that would make it easier for unions to organize.” Rhee, “Unions call out 'star pow... Read more »

With American families deeply worried about their lost savings and many defined benefit pension plans facing significant shortfalls, new questions are arising about how card check might be used to mask a union pension underfunding crisis. An op-ed published by The Huffington Post explains— “But the damaging effects [of card check] go well beyond the high-tech sector. It would have a devastating im... Read more »