Secret Ballot Watch

Even though the “card check” aspect of the Employee Free Choice Act received a major blow last week, it’s no time to celebrate.

A Wall Street Journal editorial today offers a glimpse of some equally bad ideas in the “new” card check, which is currently brewing in the Senate:   

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"One proposal would slash the time for an organizing vote, requiring that it be held within five or 10 days after 30% of workers had signed cards asking for a union. The median time today is 38 days. Organizers want the rush because they know the more time workers have to learn about a union, the less they usually want one. Once employees hear the other side of the story, support dwindles.

“This also explains a Big Labor demand to bar companies from requiring their workers to hear management's side during a union campaign. Labor supporters say this creates a ‘captive audience,’ but these meetings are one of management's few opportunities to address workers, since companies are barred from the sort of outreach allowed to union organizers – such as visiting employees at home. At the same time, Senators want to give union organizers access to company property.”

Editorial, “The New Old ‘Card Check’,” The Wall Street Journal, 07.20.09 

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Supporters can dress it up all they like, but the Employee Free Choice Act still threatens our weakened economy – even without the provision that sets aside the secret ballot in organizing unions.

It still kills jobs. It still has forced government contracts. And it still could affect America’s ability to compete in the global marketplace.

Meet the “new” card check, same as the old card check: It’s a terrible proposal no matter what supporters do to it.

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