Guest post by Jonathan Huskey of the Virginia Change that Works campaign.
An out-of-state front group rolled into Chesapeake on Saturday to oppose the Employee Free Choice Act. But they didn’t go unanswered, as several folks showed support for this important legislation that would restore balance and give workers a better shot to form a union.
Saturday’s sparsely attended “rally” was put on by Americans For Prosperity, a group founded by right-wing Kansas billionaire David Koch. Among other things, Americans for Prosperity has tried to convince people that global warming is made up! Recently the group opposed minimum wage increases, paid sick leave, SCHIP, and even extending unemployment compensation during the recession. It’s clear this group needs to be called out for its shameful record on issues that matter to working families.
Several people did just that by giving up their afternoon to show support for the Employee Free Choice Act, which is currently introduced in Congress. Virginia need this legislation because employers fire workers simply for wanting a union in 30% of organizing drives, and because employers stall negotiations, most employees have to wait more than a year to get a contract, if they get one at all. The Employee Free Choice Act just levels the playing field by making it easier to join a union without fear of intimidation and harassment.
Tell Senators Warner and Webb to keep supporting working families by supporting the Employee Free Choice Act! Call Senator Warner’s DC office at 202-224-2023 and Senator Webb’s DC office at 1-866-507-1570.
So you do NOT think that the workers’ votes to form a union should be secret?
Posted by Anon E. Mouse | Monday, April 20, 2009, 10:51 amI think that the choice of whether to use a ballot election or majority sign up should be the choice of the employees not the employer as the original Wagner Act stated in 1935. It should be up to the majority of the employees wishes not the boss.
Posted by Thomas Edwin | Monday, April 20, 2009, 11:09 pmYeah – it’s not as though the secret ballot is foundational principle of democracy or anything. Who needs it?
Posted by Brian | Tuesday, April 21, 2009, 6:07 pmIntimidation is OK when it comes from the left, Brian. The workers who oppose unionization obviously don’t know what’s good for them, so they need to be “helped” along in their decision-making.
Posted by Anon E. Mouse | Wednesday, April 22, 2009, 7:08 amSo, will the choice to have the union/no-union vote by secret ballot or majority sign-up be made by secret ballot or majority sign-up?
Posted by Anon E. Mouse | Wednesday, April 22, 2009, 7:06 am