Secret ballots for union workers

[Lionqueen2]

I think if the rank-and-file members were polled (in secret, anyway) they'd likely oppose it... but it's not the rank-and-file that's supporting this change, it's the leadership.

I believe you are right, but it is scary to think that something like this that goes against the will of the people can be legislated by a congress that is supposed to represent the people. I mean, if something like this should become law, what can we expect to be legislated next? I just find this a really scary issue.

 

[castleview]

I've written to one of my senators about this. Of course it was Senator Dodd, the useless, greedy selfish senator who saved $75,000 on his mortgage by allowing Frannie and Freddie to run amuck. I'll see if anything comes of it.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

I think if the rank-and-file members were polled (in secret, anyway) they'd likely oppose it... but it's not the rank-and-file that's supporting this change, it's the leadership.

There has been great turmoil within the labor movement about the fact that union membership has slipped to something like 7% of the total work force. Unions have split with the AFL-CIO in recent years over the accusation of the old-guard not doing enough to spread union membership. One of the splinter unions, United Food and Commercial Workers, had hoped that their efforts to unionize Wal-Mart would succeed and give them a dues war-chest to launch the second American labor revolution, but that hasn't fared so well. The proposed "card check" change sounds like a sure-fire Plan B.

I'd say right no on both counts, but especially on the bolded part.

 

[Magic Mom]

I don't understand. Why would the Senate consider supporting a bill like this?

Because they know what side their bread is buttered on.....as my grandma used to say.

 

[Lionqueen2]

Because they know what side their bread is buttered on.....as my grandma used to say.

I know you are right, but this issue makes our government seem more dictatorial than democratic.

 

[justhat]

So do I. If my company decided to go union and wanted to have an election over it, you better believe I'd want it secret. Not that I care about intimidation, I'd say "Bring it on," the more reason for me to not vote union (like I would ever vote union ). However, there are those people out there that do not want the attention brought upon themselves for voting against union and should be able to vote in secret.

That's not how it is currently done. An election like that I mean. Currently, to get a union, you can organize amongst yourself, approach a union leader who then brings it to the NLRB. The company boss is then informed that a majority of his employees have requested a union and that it's recommended that he bring that union in.

The secret ballot in question is that the employees need to have a ballot in front of their boss, albeit secret, who can then intimidate them into voting no. Even if it's secret, they can still fear their boss finding out their vote.

With the current system there is no vote to be done in the workplace so no intimidation. This is why unions, and democrats, do not want the secret ballot passed. It's essentially an extra step in getting unionized.

 

[Suzie Zoo]

I believe you are right, but it is scary to think that something like this that goes against the will of the people can be legislated by a congress that is supposed to represent the people. I mean, if something like this should become law, what can we expect to be legislated next? I just find this a really scary issue.

No kidding.

Since I first heard about this, I have yet to see a single person explain why this would be beneficial to the country. And I'm not even looking for a legitimate explanation. You know something is beyond horrific when those supporting it can't find a way to spin it.

 

[LukenDC]

I am VERY concerned about the Employee Free Choice Act and it is a prime reason why I am not supporting BO this election season. This law will only increase union intimidation and bullying.

 

[Magic Mom]

That's not how it is currently done. An election like that I mean. Currently, to get a union, you can organize amongst yourself, approach a union leader who then brings it to the NLRB. The company boss is then informed that a majority of his employees have requested a union and that it's recommended that he bring that union in.

The secret ballot in question is that the employees need to have a ballot in front of their boss, albeit secret, who can then intimidate them into voting no. Even if it's secret, they can still fear their boss finding out their vote.

With the current system there is no vote to be done in the workplace so no intimidation. This is why unions, and democrats, do not want the secret ballot passed. It's essentially an extra step in getting unionized.

That's not exactly right. Currently, employers can voluntarily accept the results of a "card check" but the have the option of requesting the NLRB conduct a secret ballot, which would be beneficial if they feel there is harassment or coercion occurring. Neither the union organizers nor the employer know who voted either way with the secret ballot. Conversely, With only the "card check" as an option, employees would be more susceptible to union organizer intimidation, because the union organizers are the ones that hold the cards until they have enough for a majority. They know who has or hasn't signed a card. The employer would have no idea.

 

[nataliesdaddy]

This issue keeps working itself in the daily news. The Senate is currently weighing whether or not to remove secret ballots from union workers. The Unions are not in favor of secret ballots and are doing some serious lobbying to see that the Senate deals with this in their favor.
I think that employees should be able to vote secretly about union issues and not subject to intimidation by unions and cannot not even believe that the Democratic Senate is even considering this.

I can believe a democratic senate is all for this - just follow the money, follow the power trail... the labor lobbyists, the pacs.

Getting rid of the secret ballot is downright evil.

 

[gottaluvPluto]

This is a very scary issue. What really steams me, Obama and the other dems say they are for the middle class or the low income people, but this will HURT the people they say they care about.

 

[TLSnell1981]

The AFL-CIO website says this has broad bipartisan support! They only list 6 Republicans!

Didn't I see Nancy Pelosi saying....how much more bi-partisan congress is going to be if they get a filibuster proof Senate? Why isn't everyone scared? The majority of this country isn't on the fringe. Wake up people!

 

[justhat]

That's not exactly right. Currently, employers can voluntarily accept the results of a "card check" but the have the option of requesting the NLRB conduct a secret ballot, which would be beneficial if they feel there is harassment or coercion occurring. Neither the union organizers nor the employer know who voted either way with the secret ballot. Conversely, With only the "card check" as an option, employees would be more susceptible to union organizer intimidation, because the union organizers are the ones that hold the cards until they have enough for a majority. They know who has or hasn't signed a card. The employer would have no idea.

Yes, you're right, the union organizer knows who signed a card. But what kind of intimidation would they do? And to what benefit? Or what harm? The employer, otoh, can fire the employees who tried to organize the shop, but what can the union leader do?

And I say this as someone whose mother is in a union and is so grateful that she does.

 

[LuvDuke]

This is another example of the upside thinking of too many in the GOP: They trust the boss not to retaliate against those who want unions, but they don't trust the unions.

The idea of the secret ballot is to protect those who want unions.

Btw, even those who don't want unions reap the benefits of collective bargaining. I wonder how many of those "unions are bad folks" would sign contracts to go it alone when it came to bargaining with the boss.

When pigs fly .......... and wear lipstick.

 

[HakunaMatata2]

Yes, you're right, the union organizer knows who signed a card. But what kind of intimidation would they do? And to what benefit? Or what harm? The employer, otoh, can fire the employees who tried to organize the shop, but what can the union leader do?

And I say this as someone whose mother is in a union and is so grateful that she does.

Many people in unions learn to keep their mouths shut since they can't risk offending their employer or appear to be disloyal to the union. The employer could find cause to fire them and the many union conditions require that employees are members of a union to hold their jobs. Any adverse activity concerning the union could cause a member to be tossed from the union resulting in the loss of a job.

 

[LuvDuke]

*******

 

[justhat]

Many people in unions learn to keep their mouths shut since they can't risk offending their employer or appear to be disloyal to the union. The employer could find cause to fire them and the many union conditions require that employees are members of a union to hold their jobs. Any adverse activity concerning the union could cause a member to be tossed from the union resulting in the loss of a job.

Are you in one like that and have firsthand knowledge? Because my mother's is nothing like that. Nor any other relative/friend who is in a union, and that is about 90% of my family/friends.

 

[HakunaMatata2]

Are you in one like that and have firsthand knowledge? Because my mother's is nothing like that. Nor any other relative/friend who is in a union, and that is about 90% of my family/friends.

No, I wouldn't qualify to be in a union. I believe that your family and friends are those union members that walk a fine line. It sounds as if they do their jobs and try not to be too vocal about issues.
As union members, would they mind giving up their right to a secret ballot and why do they think unions would be seeking to eliminate that right?

 

[tinkerdorabelle]

Are you in one like that and have firsthand knowledge? Because my mother's is nothing like that. Nor any other relative/friend who is in a union, and that is about 90% of my family/friends.

Agree! Its so infuriating to see people saying things about unions that know nothing about them. Many of my family and friends are in unions and thank gosh they are. You don't get fired easily in a union, thats why you have unions for protection. My husband is in a union, and thats why we sleep at night. You don't have ur salaries lowered at any whim, etc., I know some unions are better than others, but with the republicans, they're all about the big boys, the owners, so thats why u see many unions supporting the democratic party. Go rent Norma Rae and see why many want unions.

 

[Tigger Woods]

Agree! Its so infuriating to see people saying things about unions that know nothing about them. Many of my family and friends are in unions and thank gosh they are. You don't get fired easily in a union, thats why you have unions for protection. My husband is in a union, and thats why we sleep at night. You don't have ur salaries lowered at any whim, etc., I know some unions are better than others, but with the republicans, they're all about the big boys, the owners, so thats why u see many unions supporting the democratic party. Go rent Norma Rae and see why many want unions.

So you have no problem with eliminating secret ballots?