Secret Ballot Watch

On this day of pranks and practical jokes, it would be easy to wonder if the anti-worker card check bill was nothing but an elaborate hoax. After all, a bill that has been universally rejected by opinion leaders and the American people themselves can hardly be taken seriously.

Unfortunately for American workers, the plan is all too real. Under card check, secret ballots in workplace organizing elections would be replaced with a union-controlled sign-up process that makes workers’ votes completely and utterly public. Forcing workers to declare their preference by signing or not signing a card opens workers to intimidation, coercion, and possible retribution from either unions or management.

On top of that, workers and businesses stand to lose their right to bargain under this surreal scheme. If a newly-formed union and business cannot reach agreement within 90 days, a federal arbitrator steps in. Another 30 days after that, and workers and management are shut out of the process entirely while a federal bureaucrat makes the rules for the first two years.

Luckily for workers, Republicans know this bill is no laughing matter. That’s why Republicans continue to speak out against this bill, and any other special interest power grab that would deny workers the right to a secret ballot.

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) wrote in yesterday’s Aiken Standard about how card check would hurt workers and the economy:  

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“In these tough economic times, Americans have enough to worry about without fearing intimidation in the workplace. They also should not be subject to an instance where either party can merely walk away from a contract negotiation table because the government plans to step in and make decisions for them. Card check does nothing for worker's rights, and it would be a job-killer for our country.”

Wilson, “Proposed card check law threatens jobs and reform,” Aiken Standard, 03.31.09 

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And Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) yesterday made the case in an op-ed published by Politico for why Republicans oppose this bill and will not entertain any so-called compromise that would have the same harmful consequences for workers:  

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“Republicans support Americans’ right to unionize freely, and that is why we oppose this anti-worker legislation. Stripping workers of free choice in union organizing elections, this bill would leave workers open to coercion and intimidation — from either union officials or company management. In other words, rather than allowing an employee to make this critical choice in secrecy, the act would end workers’ right to privacy, making votes public for all coworkers, union organizers and employers to see — and that is simply not the way Americans conduct elections. Never have, never should.

“Some say Specter’s decision has opened the door to a potential compromise. Let me be clear: There will be no compromise on eliminating the rights of workers to vote by secret ballot in union organizing elections. Republicans will oppose any effort to deprive American workers of the basic right to vote in a secret ballot election without fear of intimidation or recrimination. There will be no compromise on the issue of mandatory binding arbitration in contract negotiations. Republicans will oppose any effort to allow government to unilaterally impose contracts and set wages, benefits and work rules.”

Boehner, “GOP won't compromise secret ballots,” Politico, 03.31.09 

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If Democrats and their special interest allies think Republicans or the American people are going to back down in their fight against this undemocratic legislation, the joke is on them.

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