Secret Ballot Watch

The card check union organizing method – in which workers are asked to publicly declare support for a union by signing a card, rather than privately voting through a secret ballot – has drawn widespread opposition because of its undemocratic nature. Editorial pages across the country have come out against the public sign-up process … and now, they’re questioning why special interest groups are pursuing legislation at all. Consider this editorial appearing today in Lehigh Valley, PA’s Express-Times:

"Congress is expected to revisit the Employee Free Choice Act soon -- a controversial bill that would make it easier for employees to unionize. The drawback is that the secret-ballot option on union affiliation would be pushed aside in favor of a card-check process, which could be overseen and witnessed by union officials. …

“A key question is how much change is needed in labor law, considering that most efforts at union organizing -- about two-thirds -- have been successful in recent years, according to the National Labor Relations Board. Whatever happens, access to the secret ballot should be retained in this process.”

Editorial, “Employee Free Choice Act isn't the answer,” Express-Times, 02.27.09

As another week comes to a close with card check opposition as strong as ever, it’s worth wondering why Democrats would ever pursue such an unpopular, undemocratic plan.

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