Unions, Labor and the State of the American Economy

[Omaha Steve]

http://blog.nj.com/njv_linda_stamato/2008/12/unions_labor_and_the_state_of.html

Posted by Linda Stamato December 19, 2008 8:02PM

Organized labor is looking to make it easier to unionize workers. That's hardly surprising given the sorry state of its membership. The Employee Free Choice Act (sponsored by Rep. George Miller, D-Calif) would allow employees to decide whether they want to use a "majority sign-up" system to determine whether or not to unionize or to use a secret-ballot process, the sole method available to them, currently, under the National Labor Relations Board, the federal agency that acts to guarantee the right of employees to organize and to bargain collectively with their employers.

The proposed act, by providing a simple sign-up process as a second choice, allows union organizers to gather support for a given union by simply persuading workers to sign union cards. If a majority agrees to join a union, the employer would be obliged to negotiate a contract with it.

By providing a free choice, it is anticipated that workers will gain a fairer chance in union elections. And, not incidentally, it gives the workers the choice to determine their own destiny, in their own way. RIght now, employers get to decide which method workers use. This bill puts that choice squarely where it belongs--with the employees.

The bill cleared the House last year but was blocked in the Senate by a Republican filibuster. Given their expanded majority, is it expected that Democrats will try again--in 2009--to seek passage.

The effort received a decided boost today, it would seem, by President-elect Obama's appointment as his labor secretary, Representative Hilda L. Solis (D-Calif), the only member of Congress currently serving on the board of American Rights at Work a group that advocates strongly for the bill's passage.

FULL story at link.