Secret Ballot Watch

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:  

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“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’s capital. That is certainly true of the misnamed Employee Free Choice Act.

“This legislation would have the exact opposite effect of its title. EFCA aims to eliminate a worker’s fundamental freedoms of speech and association. …

“It effectively eliminates the secret ballot from workplace elections. …

“What’s worse, the EFCA also allows the government to force an employer (even a small business) to provide certain wages, benefits, workplace conditions, retirement and pension plans, even vacation time for its workers. …

“EFCA would even allow private employers to be forced into failing union pension plans without their consent. …

“This invasion of the rights of workers and private employers must be stopped.”

Martinez, “Card check: A false solution,” Politico, 05.21.09 

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Republicans remain firm in their opposition to card check – or anything like it – that would deny workers their rights and cripple American employers struggling to create jobs and spur economic recovery.

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