With the nominees of both the Republican and Democratic parties in place, the importance of ABC members’ involvement is clear in order to ensure that merit shop companies continue to have a fair playing field. ABC’s commitment to open competition and free enterprise must remain steadfast in order to stop what could potentially lead to the largest political windfall for organized labor since 1959.
At the top of the organized labor wish list will be the passage of the Employee Free Choice Act (or Card Check) which would outlaw private ballot elections in union organizing campaigns. The Employee Free Choice Act is the first example of this attempt. The bill, introduced in the 110th Congress by Congressman George Miller (D-CA) and Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA), would eliminate the private ballot process now used to determine whether workers want to organize as a union.
Currently, workers can organize into a union if a majority of the workers, through a private ballot vote, decide to do so. The process, implemented for several decades by the National Labor Relations Board, is designed to safeguard workers from coercion or retaliation. The private ballot system parallels the process used in local, state and national elections to ensure that the fundamental right to vote is protected. The Employee Free Choice Act would have workers sign a card distributed by a paid union organizer to determine if they could organize. The effect is that the integrity of a workers vote could be compromised as everyone could quickly determine who did or did not sign the card. The elimination of the private ballot process will only increase the likelihood of coercion and bullying.
On March 1, 2007 the U.S. House of Representatives voted in support of the Employee Free Choice Act, mostly along a party line vote. On June 26, 2007 the Senate failed (51 to 48) on the motion to invoke cloture on H.R. 800. Passage of this motion would have brought H.R. 800 to the Senate floor for a vote. President Bush has indicated his intent to veto the legislation should it pass the Senate. However, the new majority in Congress has promised to make the bill their first priority in 2009.
According to a recent Wall Street Journal Article, the combined organized labor budget may top $1 billion dollars in 2008. Organized labor sees 2008 as an opportunity to get the Oval Office, a larger majority in the House, and a filibuster-proof Senate. No doubt organized labor will use their billion dollar budget to help fund candidates who support their beliefs in hopes of defeating those who value free enterprise and market competition. Should this occur, the merit shop philosophy will face major challenges.
Recently at the ABC Legislative Conference, political analyst Karl Rove reminded our members that in order to “block card-check we need 40 solid votes in the U.S. Senate.” Mr. Rove also pointed out that there are 29 open seats in the House of Representatives this election cycle that had members who opposed the Employee Free Choice Act. “It is a reminder of how much your efforts matter,” Rove said. “Organization and an enthusiastic effort at the local level can get these votes. What you do will have a big impact this fall.”
As an association we must rally behind those candidates who share our core beliefs. Although the adage has been around ABC circles for many years, in 2008 it could not be clearer, “Get into politics or get out of business.”