Even if supporters dropped the “card check” provision of the
Employee Free Choice Act, it would still be inhospitable to the economy.
That’s what George Glover says in a Monday essay for The Tampa Tribune.
Glover knows a thing or two about hospitality. He’s the chairman and CEO of the BayStar Hotel Group, which develops, acquires, operates, and sells hotels in the southeastern United States. Here’s his take on the act:
“As hoteliers whose business is hospitality, we know that employee job satisfaction is key to making our guests feel welcome. We respect and support our employees' right to determine for themselves whether they want to be represented by a union through a fair and free election process.
“EFCA - with or without the card-check provision - would fundamentally change that, and in the process, change the way we do business. It would have the unintended consequence of damaging our ability to compete and therefore would put in jeopardy the jobs that EFCA purports to protect.
“EFCA's mandatory first-contract arbitration provision is unrealistic, vague and unfair. Employees are required to make perilously quick decisions on unionization; the voice of the employer is deliberately stifled; and government takes center stage in contract talks. …
“Travel and tourism is a $740 billion industry in the United States, with more than 7.5 million people employed in travel or travel-related professions. According to the U.S. Travel Association, business travel alone creates 2.4 million American jobs, $240 billion in spending and $39 billion in tax revenue. Taking a bite out of such a large apple is a troubling strategy at a time when our national pantry is not particularly well stocked.”
Glover, “Employee Act would harm industry,” The Tampa Tribune, 08.31.09
Glover’s right. Removing card check doesn’t make the proposal any better and there is a lot at stake with the weakened economy. It’s time for the Employee Free Choice Act to check out for good.
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