Employee Free Choice Act: From Beltway to Main Street

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Your argument does not make sense. You say unions were great when your father was working and then blame some government agencies for the demise of some industries.
I think we need OSHA started in 1970 under Republican President Nixon.
I am not sure why you included the Environmental Protection Agency started in 1970 under Pres. Nixon again.
I think we also need the EEOC started under Pres. Johnson in 1964.
And the NLRB started when the NLRA started in 1935 allowing unions to be great when your father was a union member.
You seem to blame unions for our economic mess. What I see wrong with that scenario is unions have gone from 37% in the 70's to about 8% recently in the private sector. During that time, wages for workers have remained stagnant. In fact over the last 9 years, wages have gone backwards when you account for inflation.
During those same 30 years that unionization has declined, CEO pay has increased dramatically. CEO's in the 70's used earn about 30 times what their workers did. As of last year, that number increased to 430 times their workers.
Should owners make a profit? Absolutely! The owner had the idea and invested in the idea. Should the workers who produce or sell the product share in those profits? Absolutely!
I have no problem with the owners making a profit. Just don't forget who helped make the profit. The other thing, if the owner profits, the business stays open, and workers keep working.
What has hurt the U.S. more are the free trade agreements. They should be fair trade agreements. Workers from India make $87 per month and do not have many labor laws. South Korea only allows a certain amount of U.S. made cars but dump KIA's by the thousands into our country. That is not fair.
Lastly, you infuse patriotism into your argument. IBM recently submitted a patent that would sell software showing companies how to outsource the maximum amount of workers and still receive maximum tax breaks from our government. In my opinion, that borders on treason.
So who is more a detriment to our country; the poor schlep who is trying to increase his standard of living or companies like IBM who are promoting outsourcing while taking our tax dollars?

Jim Clarkson of PA 2:14PM August 13, 2009

When was the 500 K limit instituted? Maybe today, it should be more like 1 Million. From what I have read about EFCA, workers who feel disrespected and want to form a union under EFCA can have the choice to have a secret ballot election or use the card check. If 30% want an election, the workers will have an election.
I am confused somewhat though on the argument that if wages are increased, the company will go out of business. If the company has a product that is beneficial to society and people want that product they will buy it. First, I don't think your employees are going to ask for a $10/hr raise. They may want more money in their check but they want to continue earning money. Why would they want to cut off the hand that feeds them? If they would get a $1 raise, is there anything that could help the business operation be more efficient?
A hypothetical question: Let's assume EFCA passes, do you really think that every business from micro to Mega will unionize? Personally I don't think so. Even at the height of unionization before Reagan, it reached only around 37%.
A question for business owners: Do you treat your employees well? Do you treat them with respect? If you can answer yes to those questions, I don't think you have anything to worry about.
Re: the adage "the more you make, the more you spend". People in this country do not save. In 2007, people saved -1% of their wages. It may not be right but it is a statistic. What it means is people spend their money. They do not save it for a rainy day. W told us to go shopping and we did.
Another question: If people are earning more money, and 70% of the economy is driven by the consumer, won't people dump more money into the economy?
Another adage: A rising tide lifts all ships.

Jim Clarkson of PA 1:31PM August 13, 2009

Forced Singing
Forced contracts
How can this citizans of this peoples republic be deprived of ther rights to freeley decide if they want to be part of a contract. Forced aceptance may be patt of nations pracitces.
BUT is entireley out of order in the USA.
Seams like our electid congress and representives and executives have blind spots when it comes to suporting the
a method of decision that preaty well alows freedom of choic
That is a secrete ballot.
Also why not hav a National right to work law.

Mark Thomas of NV 6:50PM March 08, 2009

the exemtion for small business should be raised to a more reasonable level- a mega-corp is a mega-corp and a small business is a small business- the 500k limit is way to low- we have a 1.7m business- and employ 20 people in our high season for painting- if we are forced to unionize we will go out of business as will thousands and thousands of other companies like ours in this country- HOW CAN THIS BE GOOD FOR ANYONE?

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Memhewneege of AL 7:57PM December 30, 2008

As a former small business owner, the so-called Employee Free Choice Act will actually be, in my opinion, unionization by intimidation and will result in partisan politics, distrust, and internal fighting between small business owners and their employees. This is exactly what we don't need at this time of financial crisis and pessimism in the workplace. I voted for Barack Obama, but if he backs this horrible piece of legislation, he will make the economic crisis worse. The fairest way to approach any institutional dilemma requiring collective input is by secret ballot. I can't believe that this bill is about to become law. George McGovern was right.

Robert J. Muncy of TN 8:19PM November 09, 2008

I work for Walmart in the distribution aspect of the comapny and I see how they treat their associates. Every employee in any other company would love to be treated as well as our associates are treated. You always hear that Walmart doesn't provide insurance for it's associates, what a bunch of bull. Everyone that wants medical benefits can sign up for them, but some are covered under their spouses policies or under parents policies so let the notion go that " Walmart associates aren't offer medical benefits" to it's workforce. Yes, this includes even are part time associates. The unions are dying in America and tthat is a good thing because in the last 30 plus years they have ruined companies, one word "GM" My father grew up in an era when unions were great for America, but with the establishment of OSHA, EPA, EOC and NLRB, unions are destroying americas workforce. Why do you think so much of america's jobs are being farmed out to a cheaper labor forces in other companies ??? So, I will leave you this little tidbit, do you want to save your money and be able to spend it on gasoline ??? If not please don't shop Walmart because we are here to " Save You Money so you can live better" WOW, what a novel idea, but with the passage of this bill the unions can ONLY promise you one thing that you will pay union dues. So, if employees/associates want a union then let them vote for it, under this bill, if employees/associates just sign a union card and get 50% to sign then a union is automatically in place ??? Is that a free democracy??? Well, I don;t think so, but you must decide. I served 18 years in the USAF and I had some of my friends die for the freedom and rights that most American's take for grant it. So, does this sound like freedom, not in my mind, but it is our leaders choice not ours. So, if you want the costs to increase then support a union, but if you want to be able to voice your concerns with your company anytime then a union is not for you. Remember a union can promise you the moon, but can only deliver what a company negotiates in good faith. Thanks Mr Sam for you vision, you have no idea what impact that you have had on the world and the impact that is yet to come. Just remember " SAVE MONEY LIVE BETTER"

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harvesterzz of AL 5:42AM June 17, 2008

Fundamentally, people should have a right to a secret ballot on forming a union. Employees should be free of being intimidated by union organizers. Otherwise you end up with mess that looks like a Democatic Party caucus.
Unions are losing ground in the private sector and a tacitic like this is only desinged to give them a strong armed tactic to expand. If they expand into small business it will be the end of many small businesses.

Grant of FL 6:29AM May 22, 2008

And John of CA is quite right about the real opponents of the Free Choice Act being big businesses, not so much the small ones. So when Republicans start yelling about this killing "small business", remember that you're being lied to (again, and as usual.)

Daniel David of NM 5:05PM May 21, 2008