Secret Ballot Watch

For months now, editorial pages all around the country have been sounding off against the stunningly misnamed Employee Free Choice Act, a bill that would give workers anything but a free choice when deciding whether to join a union. Public opinion remains squarely against the measure, better known as card check, and in recent days its legislative prospects have grown increasingly dim. Recognizing that the card check bill is bad for the economy, bad for workers, and just plain undemocratic, editorial pages have dialed up their condemnation of the bill and trumpeted the fact that lawmakers are coming out in opposition to the plan. An editorial in today’s Contra Costa Times echoes these sentiments:  

---

“It is disheartening that legislation to eliminate one of the fundamental rights of American workers, a secure secret ballot vote, has gained so much strength.

“Unfortunately, union leaders and their massive political donations have helped elect many members of Congress who are ready to tilt the law to give union organizers an unfair, undemocratic advantage. …

“Removing this protection for workers is an affront to democratic principles and fairness.

“With [Sen. Arlen] Specter opposed to eliminating union organizing elections, it is highly likely that there will be at least 41 votes in the U.S. Senate against card-check legislation.

“That is the critical number to block the measure with the threat of a filibuster and prevent a highly unfair bill from becoming law.”

Editorial, “Blow to union card-check bill preserves workers' free choice,” Contra Costa Times, 03.26.09 

---

Of course, as we warned yesterday, efforts to tilt the playing field in favor of special interests are sure to continue, so it’s a safe bet that this controversial scheme, or something like it, will continue to be a threat. And Republicans will continue to fight on behalf of workers, small business owners, and the American economy.

# # #