Nationwide Poll: Jobs YES, EFCA NO

Voters Pan 'Compromise' Alternatives and Politicians Who Support EFCA

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today released a new nationwide poll revealing public fear about how the "Employee Free Choice Act" would hurt job growth. The poll also found little enthusiasm for various "compromise" proposals floated by union backers. Voter Consumer Research conducted the poll from January 13-19, 2010, using a sample of 1,005 voters with a 3.1% margin of error.

In the poll, 61% of respondents said that EFCA would cause more companies to expand abroad as opposed to creating jobs in America. Sixty five percent also said that EFCA should not be attached to a "jobs bill," but instead be considered separately. More than half (54%) of voters surveyed said they would be more likely to oppose a generic candidate who voted in favor of EFCA in 2010.

"America's message to Congress is crystal clear: 'yes' to jobs, and 'no' to special-interest union bailouts like Card Check," said the Chamber's Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel Steven J. Law. "Voters understand that if we want to put people back to work, Congress needs to stop wasting time with new government mandates and get serious about regulatory and tax relief."

Poll respondents were also skeptical of most of the EFCA "compromises" that have been floated in closed-door meetings among backers of organized labor in the Senate. Regarding expedited union elections, 81% preferred giving both sides enough time to make their case over a shortened election window. Two-thirds opposed giving union organizers' access to workplaces, and 62% opposed prohibitions on employers' speech rights.

Even after the recent election of Senator-elect Scott Brown (R-MA), EFCA proponents have vowed that they "have no intention of backing off" the legislation. Some experts speculate that organized labor may push for a "bed check" vote on the bill to develop a target list of Senators to support or oppose during the 2010 election cycle.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

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