Employee Free Choice Act: The Biggest Anti-Union Busting Campaign in History

The Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) (H.R. 1409, S. 560) is pending legislation in the United States which aims to "amend the National Labor Relations Act to establish an easier system to enable employees to form, join, or assist labor organizations, to provide for mandatory injunctions for unfair labor practices during organizing efforts, and for other purposes." The latest version was introduced into both chambers of the U.S. Congress on 10 March 2009.

In order for a workplace to organize under current U.S. labor law, the card check process begins when an employee requests blank cards from an existing union, and requests signatures on the cards from his colleagues. Once 30% of the work force has signed the cards, the employer may decide to hold a secret ballot election on the question of unionization.In practice, the results of the card check are not presented to the employer until 50 or 60% of employees have signed the cards to help ensure winning the election.If the majority of votes favor the union, the National Labor Relations Board will certify it as the exclusive representative of the employess for the purpose of collective bargaining.

If enacted, EFCA would require the NLRB to certify the union as the bargaining representative without directing an election if the employees choose such alternative if a majority of the bargaining unit employees signed cards; in addition, employees may still request a secret ballot election if 30% of employees petition for one. The EFCA would "allow the employees—rather than the employer—to decide whether to hold a secret-ballot election."

Powerful Corporate Front Groups such as the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace, who's stratagy was designed by Navigators Global and run a website called my private ballot, Chamber of Commerce, Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), and Save our Secret Ballot who all oppose the Employee Free Choice Act and workers’ freedom to form unions and bargain are carrying out one of the biggest Anti-Union Busting campaign in history, hoping to wrench public opinion in their direction and spread misinformation about the Employee Free Choice Act.



Right-wing anti-union Corporate Front groups are pouring tens of millions of dollars into an effort to defeat the Employee Free Choice Act. The money being spent by these Corporate Front Groups combined would make the Employee Free Choice Act bill The Biggest Anti-Union Busting Campaign in History.

According to reports, several anti-union Corporate Front Groups plan to collectively spend almost $100 million in the next year against the bill and those who support it. The breakdown is as follows (from the National Journal):

Chamber of Commerce: $20-30 million

Coalition for a Democratic Workplace: $30 million

Employee Freedom Action Committee: $30 million

Freedom's Watch: $30 million (from one anti-union contributor)

Center for Union Facts: unknown, but in the millions

Sheldon Adelson—a major right-wing billionaire and fundraiser—recently called the Employee Free Choice Act "one of the fundamental threats to society"—the other being “radical Islam.” Adelson is vehemently anti-union, and put up $30 million of his own money into Freedom's Watch, a conservative advocacy group, as part of an effort take on Congressional candidates in 2008.

But the Employee Free Choice Act just isn't a cause for anti-union entities to spend money. Republican Senate leadership is trying to use the bill to drum up major contributions: "It’s our No. 1 issue to raise money on," said Senator John Ensign (R-NV), chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Like Union-Busting Campaigns used by Employers Against it's workers, these Right-wing anti-union Corporate Front groups are using the same tactics in their attempt to defeat the Employee Free Choice Act. See Employer FEAR, Coercion and Intimidation Union Busting Tactics Press Here Such Union-Busting tactics include: the use of FEAR, Intimidation Coercion, Misinformation,Out Right Lies, and Scare Tactics. While thesr Corporate Front Groups pretend to have the workers interest at heart this is the furthest thing from the truth.

Their whole Union-Busting Campaign is based on the fact that the Employee Free Choice Act would eliminate "Secret Ballot Elections" and "Worker Privacy" however just this past friday we EXPOSED the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace when they demanded in press releases that a number of senators to state their postion on the Employee Free Choice Act and cloture. Why is it when it comes to a Senators RIGHT to a "Secret Ballot" and "Their Privacy" on How They are going to Vote on cloture and The Employee Free Choice Act Prior to a Debate ( Or A Secret Ballot Vote Just Like in A Union Election) They Contradict Themselves That This is Unacceptable?

These Senators are: "Called on to remove any uncertainty surrounding their position on the Employee Free Choice Act". Here is The Coalition for a Democratic Workplace Press Release on

Senator Lincoln PRESS HERE

Senator Nelson PRESS HERE

Senator Specter PRESS HERE

Senator Pryor PRESS HERE

Senator Warner PRESS HERE

Senator Landrieu PRESS HERE

In the End Corporate Front Groups such as the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace, will continue to use Union - Busting tactics such as FEAR,Intimidation,Coercion, Misinformation,Out Right Lies and Scare Tactics against any senator who is in favor of the Employee Free Choice Act and the general public in hopes this proposed bill will never get the 60 votes needed to end the debate (cloture) and take it to a vote.

This is often used in Employer Union - Busting Campaigns. Delay Delay Delay.



We say to these Corporate Front Groups and especially the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace, if YOUR REALLY FOR "Secret Ballot Elections" and "Worker Privacy" then STOP demanding and intimidating these senators with FEAR and Intimidation tactics by asking them to publicly state their positions prior to debate and STOP trying to STOP the Employee Free Choice Act from Going to A VOTE by your attempts to defeat cloture so this bill never gets a chance to be voted upon.

The Principle of Democracy is to Allow a Vote - NOT STOP A VOTE!



www.TheTruthAboutEFCA.Org

http://efcanow.blogspot.com/

For more information on Employer Intimidation and Union-Busting FEAR Tactics Press Below

http://efcanow.blogspot.com/2009/02/just-say-no-to-employee-free-choice-act.html

The Coalition for a Democratic Workplace is made up of more than 500 associations and organizations from every state across the nation that have joined together to protect a Employers right to "Demand a Private Ballot Election" when workers decide whether or not to join or form a union. In 2008, CDW embarked on a multi-million dollar public Union Busting Fear and Intimidation campaign in key states that included polling, television, radio and internet ads and direct mail.

Tags: Coalition for a Democratic Workplace, Navigators Global, Chamber of Commerce, Employee Free Choice Act, EFCA, Employee Free Choice, Free Choice, My Private Ballot, Union Busting, Union Avoidance,Senator Lincoln, Senator Nelson,Senator Specter, Senator Pryor, Senator Warner , Senator Landrieu, Corporate Front Groups, Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), Save our Secret Ballot