Continuing Report on “Mr. Willey goes to Washington DC”
So as I wrap up my series on my trip to Washington DC, Let me first tell you, Wow, being from Arizona, I forgot how cold it could be in the winter! It snowed in Washington DC, about 8 inches over night, and nearly shut down everything, fortunately I arrived a couple days before the big storm and avoided all the delays but I was in the middle of cold 12 to 18 degrees in DC and already missing the 90 degrees at home in Phoenix! My wife sure rubbed it in – she didn’t go! Ha ha.
OK, so last but certainly not least, in this issue, what I’m blogging about can and will affect every small business in America, it’s the “Card Check” issue, OR as it is more commonly known, the Employee Free Choice Act.
This is BAD, BAD, BAD for small business, while many in Congress would lead you to believe this is good for employees, they are misdirected into believing this is a Large company issue and it won’t effect small business. I disagree, labor groups argue the bill will result in better wages and benefits by making it harder for management to block organizing efforts in the workplace, You know this is working really well for GMC, FORD, CATERPILLAR, Etc… the same unionized companies that are paying better wages and benefits, and it’s harder for management to block labor efforts in the workplace, – you know the protected employees that have all been laid off! Yes, they all got the benefits of unions, 45 to $65 per hour while it lasted – but now labor is so expensive, companies can no longer afford to build in this country, but labor unions have it all figured out, right? They still get their union dues! Yes, these examples are big companies, but “Card Check” will bring the same thing to small business! Small to medium size business simply can not afford the underlying effect that this Act would create. When a union takes over your employees and forces the employer to give and give and give, it will bankrupt most companies, maybe congress will bail them out, right? Here’s an example: say you have 6 employees and ½ of them are at McKee Dees having breakfast, and a labor union representative finds them there together and decides to talk to them. “Hey you guys all work for the same company?” Yes, we do. “Would you like to make more money? Would you like better benefits? How about a new truck to drive?” Then he asks the employees to sign the union card, one is hesitant to sign, but his buddies did it, so he feels compelled to sign the card too, then the union representative heads directly to the employee’s company office and tells the owner that his employees have formed a union and these are the demands of your employees, more money, more benefits and a new truck! That is what “Card Check” will do for you! But Nothing about getting any more productivity out of your employees, more accountability, working together as a team to survive the economic issues we all face, nope, it’s let’s make a deal! Oh, by the way, because ½ your employees signed the Cards, your whole company is now unionized, no more peaceful communications between the owner/managers and the employees, now it’s the arbitrators who will do the talking for both parties, and for the first 120 days, if the employer does anything wrong becoming Unionized (because we have so much experience in that) then we will have penalties and fines.
Never mind that most of your current employees stay with you now because they like you, they believe in you, support your mission, care for your customers, and they are relatively happy and don’t have a problem communicating their concerns to you. One or two disgruntled employees are going to convince as many as possible that Santa Claus is coming to town. Who’s going to turn down gifts from Santa Claus? Who wouldn’t like more money, better benefits, and a new truck? Hey, sounds good to me too, but I know the truth, and the truth is, ” I’m have to work harder to make money, to purchase better benefits for my family (65% renewal increase on health insurance this year), and save up for that new truck, oh and because I spent the last 25 years busting my butt to have the new truck, now I have to work twice as hard, because you know, 24 years old, they deserve it, so I have to make sure they all get one too,! AND SO WILL YOU!
I am writing to urgently request you to oppose any legislative proposal that would require employers to recognize a labor union solely through the “card check process.” Under such a process, workers would be asked to sign union cards in the presence of a union organizer or member and could feel intimidated and pressured to sign even if they didn’t want to.
I strongly believe in open communication between management and employees and fully recognize and respect the right of workers to organize and elect a third-party organization to represent them if they so wish. But I also believe that the election of an organization to represent employees as their exclusive bargaining representative should take place by means of a secret ballot. The secret ballot is the foundation of the modern democratic process, guaranteeing the freedom to vote according to one’s true beliefs without fear of retribution. It is a core element of every democracy, recognized and respected worldwide.
“Card check” legislation would take away existing safeguards now assured under federal law and leave workers unprotected from outside influence and pressure. Please vote “No” on any legislative proposal that would change the current union election system that is now based on the bedrock principle of democracy — free and fair elections decided by secret ballot. Thank you.
Business associations such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) have spent millions of dollars opposing the measure – also known as “card-check” – because they believe it would expand union memberships. The bill would allow workers to organize by signing a petition, instead of through a secret ballot. Critics say that could lead to intimidation of workers. Labor groups argue the bill will result in better wages and benefits by making it harder for management to block organizing efforts in the workplace.
The current union election system is built on the foundation of our democracy – free and fair elections. This law would severely undermine the secret ballot process, as union authorization cards would be signed in the presence of an interested party – namely a union organizer or a pro-union-co-worker. We honor and support the work of our employees and believe they deserve all protections possible, including the right to make a decision to unionize in privacy.
Click here to contact your members of Congress and ask them to oppose this bill.
