Secret Ballot Watch

Not content with trying to take away workers’ right to a secret ballot on a national level, many card check supporters have been trying to pass similar laws in state legislatures across the country.

But like their attempts in Congress, there have been few major victories.

The latest defeat arrived yesterday from the Aloha State, as Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle vetoed a statewide card check measure. The Honolulu Advertiser tells us why:  

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“The governor said the card-check process is a poor indicator of union support and susceptible to intimidation and coercion. She said it could also undermine the use of the secret ballot.

“‘Secret-ballot elections, on the other hand, provide employees with an opportunity to carefully consider their choice after being fully informed by both the union and the employer of the advantages and disadvantages of union representation,’ Lingle said in her veto message.

“Lingle has vetoed similar bills in the past, and state House leaders said yesterday that it is unclear whether they have the two-thirds’ vote necessary to override the veto.”  

DePledge, “Hawaii Card-Check Option For Unionizing Vetoed by Governor,” Honolulu Advertiser, 07.15.09 

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Fittingly, the card check proposal was just one of a slew of bills that Lingle vetoed because they would “discourage the creation of more jobs” in her state. The unemployment rate in Hawaii is currently 7.4 percent. That’s lower than the national rate of 9.5 percent, but Lingle noted her state’s rate is more than double from a year ago.

Lingle clearly understands that card check takes away workers’ rights, destroys jobs, and kicks down an economy trying to get back on its feet.

Too bad supporters of the Employee Free Choice Act in Congress can’t see that as well.

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