thetruthaboutefca.com | The Truth About The Employee Free Choice Act & Card Check

Democratic hopefuls in this year’s North Carolina election for Senate took the opportunity to debate last night in an attempt to distinguish themselves. Union issues were high on the agenda, including the relative stances of State Sen. Cal Cunningham and Secretary of State Elaine Marshall on whether public employees should be bargaining with the state and, of course, the sadly misnamed Employee Free Choice Act.

The News-Record reports that Marshall didn’t get a question about EFCA and its card check provision but has supported it in the past. It also adds:

And although he supports the Employee Free Choice Act, Cunningham said he doesn’t support the broadest form of a “card check” provision to allow workers to unionize by collecting signature cards versus the secret ballot required now.

“I support the card check compromise, which will preserve the role of elections,” Cunningham said.

We’re aware of no such existing card check “compromise” and as we’ve noted repeatedly, there really is no such thing as compromise when one starts from a position as onerous (and odiferous) as EFCA. You can put lipstick on a pig, as they say, but it doesn’t create a workable workplace policy.

Incidentally, South Carolina’s Sen. Jim DeMint is among the strongest opponents of EFCA. Here’s a refresher video for you:

The good folks of South Carolina are still focusing on the not-yet-dead issue of the Employee Free Choice Act and are considering state-based efforts at guaranteeing the right to an employee’s private ballot election to decide whether to join a union.

The Greenville News has this opinion, which we find it hard to imagine would have very many detractors:

Workers in South Carolina — and around the country, for that matter — deserve the right to decide these important issues behind the protective cloak of the secret ballot. Although all American workers should have the ability to form a labor union, no worker should feel intimidated when making this decision. And the federal government should not strip away workers’ rights to a secret ballot.

That seems pretty fundamental to us, but then again a lot of things seem to have gone haywire lately.

Good to keep this material on peoples’ minds.

Chalk up yet another editorial supporting the retention of a secret-ballot workplace election. This time, it’s from the Greenville News, which writes:

American workers should not be denied the right to organize, and the current system really is the best environment for unionization elections. The card check system opens the door to intimidation by union organizers. What worker wouldn’t feel pressured to sign a card when being asked face-to-face whether he supports a union? Especially when he knows that every employee who supports unionization will know exactly which workers have signed pledge cards.

That about sums up the problem with the Employee Free

Many are aware of the ongoing effort by Associated Builders and Contractors and Free Enterprise Alliance to educate our members, the general public, and legislators about the anti-democratic, job-killing nature of the misleadingly named Employee Free Choice Act. As part of that effort, we have asked some leading legislators their views on the bill.

Today’s interviewee is Rep. Joe Wilson, who represents South Carolina’s Second District.

1) What is the status of the Employee Free Choice Act and what is your position on the legislation?

I am opposed to the misnamed Employee Free Choice Act because it all but eliminates an employee’s right to a secret ballot and would require the government to step in between an employer and their employees to impose binding arbitration. It would be a clear detriment to job creation and a roadblock to reform.

2) ABC members believe that there is no “compromise” on a bill that starts out so badly as to include “card check” and binding arbitration. What is your view of “compromise” on EFCA?

I believe this legislation is bad for employers and employees alike and should be put aside altogether.

3) Have you heard from your constituents on EFCA and the impact the bill would have on your district?

I have heard from individuals in the Second Congressional District who believe we need to protect the rights of our employees and that includes the right to a secret ballot. They understand how this legislation would damage job creation and hurt an economic recovery.

4) In your view, are there other, better legal or regulatory reforms that would be more helpful to working Americans and our economy?

The key to restoring our economy is helping businesses create new jobs. We can start by putting to rest attempts to raise taxes on small businesses whether through a big government health care plan or a cap and tax scheme both of which would destroy jobs. More specifically, I’ve been a longtime supporter of expanding bonus depreciation for businesses to encourage the purchase of new equipment and the growth in business that will create jobs.

5) If you could tell an ABC member one thing about your position on workforce laws and other laws governing the marketplace, what would you say?

We need to promote the free market and ensure that laws and reforms are targeted in support of a limited government involvement.