Secret Ballot Watch

If you’re anything like organized labor and its supporters of the Employee Free Choice Act, you’d use it to place huge bets on the measure and the rest of your agenda.

Sadly, you’d be gambling with the future of the U.S. economy – and betting against workers and their rights. 

Congressional Quarterly examined Federal Election Commission records, and found that organized labor has been the No. 1 special-interest contributor to Congress so far this year, followed closely by the health care industry. CQ checks out the coffers here:

“Union political action committees shelled out $11 million to lawmakers during the first six months of this year. Ranking second were health care interests, which gave $9.5 million from Jan. 1 through June 30, according to a CQ MoneyLine analysis of the latest filings with the Federal Election Commission (FEC). 

“While labor PACs were the top contributors in the previous election cycle, the health care industry jumped to second place in the first half of the year from fourth in the 2007-08 cycle. Revamping health care is the top priority of President Obama and Democratic leaders in Congress as lawmakers struggle to fashion an overhaul proposal. …

“Trevor Potter, president of the Campaign Legal Center and a former FEC chairman, said it is not surprising that labor leads the pack in giving this year.

“‘The unions have an agenda in this Congress, and they are trying to move legislation,’ Potter said. He added that unions, which give overwhelmingly to Democrats, also may be trying early in the election cycle to shore up the majority party in Congress, particularly its vulnerable members.

“Aside from the health care issue, unions have mounted a major push for legislation that would make it easier for workers to organize workplaces. The measure (S 560) has been aggressively opposed by business interests. Senate sponsors have signaled that they may have to drop a controversial labor-backed provision that would allow workers to agree to unionize when a majority sign a card, rather than voting by secret ballot.”

Roth and Knott, “Unions Top the List of Biggest Campaign Contributors in First Half of 2009,” (subscription required) Congressional Quarterly, 08.05.09

Unfortunately, these special interests have laid down all their chips on an economic loser. The Employee Free Choice Act can kill jobs at a time when America needs them badly. It can also allow federal bureaucrats to effectively take over businesses through forced government contracts, and it can set aside a worker’s right to a secret ballot.

If the act becomes law, supporters may feel their big money gamble was worth it. It’s too bad the rest of America will feel like they just lost big.

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