As of the reading of this article, there is a good chance we have either elected a new President or we are in the middle of a “hanging chad” type ordeal that could drag out for a while. In either instance, sentiment is very mixed, if not divided, on what either candidate means to our country in the coming four years, and even more so, what either candidate means to our economy. What is not debatable, what can not be spun in either direction, is that we are in unprecedented times of economic challenges, and there are some things rearing their heads that we have to consider their potential negative, if not devastative impact, on our economy. One of those things is the upcoming legislation that will be brought up in Congress about the Employee Free Choice Act, or the Card Check legislation.
When unions first emerged on the American landscape back in 1953, their formation was fairly simple and regulated. Those interested in forming a union could gather signature cards, and once they had more than 30% of the total employees signed off on forming a union, they could then ask for a secret ballot election, which would be overseen by the Federal Government. Once they had 50% of the votes from that employer, their union was certified. This new legislation exposes everyone to a very dangerous process in that it would allow union organizers to solicit signatures openly in public to employees subjecting them to threats, intimidation, and abuse, and once 50% of the employees signed off on this legislation, the union would be formed. By this legislation, there would be NO election, and the right to a secret ballot would be ILLEGAL! Imagine this in context to the recent Presidential election. Imagine if your vote was not secret. Imagine if you were allowed to be pressured to vote for a particular candidate openly, in public, facing ridicule and threats if you did not vote for them, and had to sign off on a card for that candidate. Its very similar in that you are voting on your job, your source of income, and with this proposed legislation, you as an employee would be bullied into signing these cards for a union.
What does this mean to employers, and to the livelihood of our community? This legislation would allow people to form unions at ANY size company, period. It would allow the smallest of offices to the largest of companies to form unions. Employees would have to pay union dues, even if they did not want to, and rely on union representatives to negotiate all the different aspects of their benefits on their behalf. Unions have proven to be very corrupt, with money not going to promised areas of contributions, and for the most part, have not shown to help employees standing in too many areas. In fact, unions have done more damage in this country as a whole than they have good. This kind of union legislation has impacts across our state. Currently,
In talking with some of our largest employers in our area, they all agree that for the most part, if you treat your employees with dignity and respect you don’t have to worry about union influences. But, rogue legislation will allow employees who have interests of unions first in their minds, and not what would be best for all employees.
What we have an opportunity to do, and each and every one that reads this article should call or send a letter to their congressman, is retain the rights we have as employees to not be represented by corrupt unions and unions groups, but that we remain in control of our own professional lives. I believe that as a whole, people in our area want good paying jobs provided by good companies, who provide good benefits. Being able to attract those companies here to our area will be severely limited by this kind of legislation. Last year, in the House of Representatives, this legislation passed and Representative Marion Berry voted for this legislation. Currently, Senator Blanche Lincoln is undecided and Senator Mark Pryor is in favor. This legislation benefits only union bosses and organizations, not the employers, and especially not the employees. Do your research on this bill, but we would encourage you to contact your congressman and urge them strongly to vote no on this legislation!
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Keep it kind, informative and honest.