Democrats in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate introduced controversial labor legislation, the Employee Free Choice Act, in both chambers on March 10, 2009. H.R. 1409/S. 560, also referred to as “card check,” would change how unions organize workers in the United States by eliminating a company’s right to demand a secret ballot if a majority of employees sign authorization cards to form a union. It also requires binding arbitration to reach a first contract, if labor and management can’t reach an agreement within 120 days, and increases penalties for businesses that violate labor laws. Instead of an election run by the National Labor Relations Board, workers would be able to fill out cards saying whether they support or oppose a union.
Talking points in opposition to the Legislation:
NATA strongly encourages its members to be outspoken in opposition to the Card Check bill. It is going to take a lot of influence in both the House and Senate to persuade lawmakers that this legislation will negatively affect small businesses and large employers in the U.S. Call, write, or visit your representatives today!
Currently, Senate Democrats do not have the support necessary to pass the legislation. It’s possible that the legislation could be on the Senate floor in late April or the beginning of May. President Obama co-sponsored the legislation when he was in the Senate and said last week he would work to “pass the Employee Free Choice Act,” his most explicit comments in support of the bill since taking office.
Kristen Moore Director of Legislative Affairs [email protected]
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