True North

It's time for another 'EFCA Update'. It's too important an issue to lose track of. This article lays things out pretty well.

We take it for granted that a vote means a secret ballot but it was not always that way. Moreover, it will not remain that way for workers who vote on whether or not they want a labor union, if legislation sponsored by Congressional Democrats and endorsed by Senator Barack Obama becomes law.

Before there were secret ballots, voters dared not express their true preferences if those who watched them vote could retaliate, whether by firing them, beating them up or in other ways. Anyone who is serious about people being free to express themselves with their votes wants a secret ballot.

One thing that's obvious is that the union bosses are getting desperate. This legislation would legalize the stripping of the last protections workers would have to a secret ballot.

When a union organizer approaches a worker and asks them if they'd like to sign, how likely is that worker to say no? Let's consider the unions' history of thuggishness before answering. Why would he/she subject themselves to potential harassment or intimidation? Just the possibility that they'd be subjects of intimidation would likely influence their decision.

Can anyone say that a worker facing that situation has the same protections as a worker voting in the privacy of the voting booth that's being monitored by NLRB monitors?

This legislation passed the House of Representatives last year but did not make it through the Senate. "I will make it the law of the land when I'm President of the United States," Barack Obama has said to the AFL-CIO.

Senator Obama has also said many times that he is against "special interests." But, like most politicians who say that, he means that he is against other politicians' special interests. His own special interests are never called special interests.

Democrats all across the land are supporting EFCA. Whether it's the Democrats' presidential nominee or Ted Kennedy or Al Franken or Elwyn Tinklenberg, Democrats overwhelmingly support EFCA. As I've just explained, this proves that Democrats overwhelmingly support eliminating important worker protections.

Republicans should vocally stand up for workers' rights. Let Democrats argue against the workers. That's a fight I'll take anytime.

Comments welcome at LFR.