Release Date: Feb 08, 2007Contact: 888-249-NEWS
Chamber Criticizes Bill to Eliminate Secret Ballots in Union Organizing
WASHINGTON, DC-The United States Chamber of Commerce harshly criticized efforts in the House to advance a bill that would eliminate the secret ballot as the primary method by which employees choose whether to be represented by a union.
"Faltering unions, and their political allies, are promoting a bill that would undermine the fundamental concept of our workplace democracy," said Randel Johnson, Chamber vice president for labor policy. "We must protect employees' ability to make their choices regarding whether to unionize, free from any coercion or intimidation by either side."
A hearing on H.R. 800, the Employee Free Choice Act, was held today before the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions. Identical legislation is expected to be introduced in the Senate by Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA). These bills would replace secret ballot elections overseen by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) with a "card check" process in which employees would be forced to make their choices out in the open, in front of union organizers and fellow employees who support unionization, making them vulnerable to threats and other pressure tactics.
Chuck Cohen, an attorney with the law firm of Morgan, Lewis, and the chair of the Chamber's subcommittee on the National Labor Relations Act, testified today on behalf of the U.S. Chamber detailing how this bill will erode workplace democracy.
"Many of today's employees have strong working relationships with their employers and do not respond to the vitriolic rhetoric of the 1930s still relied upon by unions," added Johnson. "If unions want to boost their numbers, they should concentrate on creating an agenda and program relevant to today's workforce-not try to eliminate the rights of workers to cast their votes in private."
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.
www.uschamber.com
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