07/ 25/ 2007
In a 51–48 vote, the U.S. Senate voted against consideration of the "Employee Free Choice Act," H.R. 800/S.1041, also known as card-check legislation (which passed the U.S. House in March). This motion required 60 votes to pass.
The bill has stalled for now, but the fight is far from over. Special-interest money will continue to pour in to influence Congress to pass this legislation in the future, and NFIB will continue to make your voice clear to your legislators.
Card-check legislation would eliminate the long-protected and democratic principle of private-ballot elections. Instead, a union could be organized simply if a majority of employees sign cards. Furthermore, this method of organizing intentionally keeps employers uninformed about an organizing drive.
"Card check is a special threat to small businesses, who are a big target by union groups seeking to reverse the trends of their declining membership," says Dan Danner, NFIB's executive vice president. "It leaves employees vulnerable to inevitable intimidation and misinformation campaigns. Moreover, it eliminates the small-business owner from the very decisions affecting their business—like what workplace policies and benefit plans best suit their business and their employees."
Equally alarming is a provision that mandates compulsory and binding arbitration. In the event that a card-check drive is successful, and the employer and employees are unable to agree on contract terms after 120 days, a government arbitrator would intervene and make labor contract decisions on wages and benefits.
For updated information, go to www.StoptheUnionAgenda.com.
