Employee Free Choice Act?

[jpsmith1cm]

I think you are focusing on the job that we do where we are running solo most of the time. In most "normal" workplaces there is a lot more interaction and socialization, opening the door for what we are talking about.

You have your reasons for choosing the union. As you stated, your employers also chose to be a union shop.

I agree that if the majority of employees want a union, then they should have it, but I also believe that this act allows too much room for coersion.

what is wrong with a secret ballot? It's fair.

If a system is not broken, why are we trying to fix it?

[jmac00]

you guys are nutso over this and I just can't see this being that big of a deal.

This doesn't play out like that JP. Never does. Your smarter than that.

And you are too Robo. Your gong half cocked over something that is not that big in the real way things go down.

I have been in a Union, and it was NOT a good thing. The union put themselves and the company out of business.

Unions have out lived there usefulness.

What this is all about is the UAW trying to get into The 'foreign' auto plants.

[B]The UAW has two choices[/B], either lower there wage demands so that the Big 3 can survive

OR

they can pull this crap and FORCE THERE WAY into the foreign NON-UNION shops and make them increase there pay scale to match or exceed the B3

either way, Unions WILL end up destroying this country. We will no longer be able to compete in the Global market place.

Hey, if your pro union, thats fine. Just remember, the business has the option of WALKING AWAY. Close the door and say Addios.

Also remember this. American companies will vote with there feet, they will move more and more manufacturing OFF SHORE if labor cost get to high.

[absoair]

O.K., Ithink I am up to par now. Secret ballot is the way to go. The only reason some would want it any other way is o be corrupt!

[RoBoTeq]

This act will allow too much coersion and pressure to be brought to bear on "swing votes"

Imagine, a 6'9" tall guy named Bruno leaning on your shoulder and gently whispering, "You REALLY should sign this card, buddy"

That'll work on some. Others may may just go for the new gold watch.

[RoBoTeq]

you guys are nutso over this and I just can't see this being that big of a deal.

This doesn't play out like that JP. Never does. Your smarter than that.

And you are too Robo. Your gong half cocked over something that is not that big in the real way things go down.

If it's no big deal, why are unions pumping millions of dollars of union workers dues into getting it passed and trying to buy a Senate seat?

Maybe it is you that is "not" so smart as we'd like to think you are.

[RoBoTeq]

O.K., Ithink I am up to par now. Secret ballot is the way to go. The only reason some would want it any other way is o be corrupt!

That's about the gist of it.

Like jmac stated; if unions are wanted so much as claimed by union advocates, why the need to make it easier to corrupt the system?

[mikelcs]

Sure it's still a choice. A choice to vote a union in.

But remember, it was your own employees who had mutiny on you to begin with.

In the cases that I have witnessed, the mutiny was orgastrated and promoted through propoganda- all from an organization that was, in no way, involved in the company operations. In a busy time, all around 1998 - 2001,
everyone was working and labor was short. All cases involved new hires who came in either with the idea on their own, or directed by others, to act as organizers for the local. The M.O. was all the same, take the time to gain the trust of your fellow employees, bombard them with a lot of literature and promises, then organize a vote. All cases prompted a distribution of literature policy, and that alone was invasive on some good things that were going on.
It was an ugly time and I feel that the union had no business approaching a company in that manner. I know that the union has been good for many, cardholders and non, and I can respect that. Some of the most technically proficient people I know came out of the union, but the tactics I personally wittnessed told me all that I needed to know. I am also certain that there are many long time cardholders who have not witnessed this and are not aware of the tactics. The "shortsightedness" falls on both sides of the fence.

[RoBoTeq]

There are organizations that fully support unions;

Quote:
Trade unions in the USA insure a fair balance between what workers produce and what they receive. They have decisive power to enforce safety and health provisions, prevent speedup, and guarantee good transportation, working conditions and plant facilities.
http://www.cpusa.org/article/static/13/

[viceman]

[QUOTE=RoBoTeq;2079605]There are organizations that fully support unions;

Quote:
Trade unions in the USA insure a fair balance between what workers produce and what they receive. They have decisive power to enforce safety and health provisions, prevent speedup, and guarantee good transportation, working conditions and plant facilities.
QUOTE]

sounds terrible.

[RoBoTeq]

[quote=viceman;2079618]

There are organizations that fully support unions;

Quote:
Trade unions in the USA insure a fair balance between what workers produce and what they receive. They have decisive power to enforce safety and health provisions, prevent speedup, and guarantee good transportation, working conditions and plant facilities.
QUOTE]

sounds terrible.

No, unfortunately it "sounds" good. Did you check the linked site I took that from?

[Heavyevans]

Do you have an opinion on whether or not unions should be able to infiltrate companies without a secret ballot vote?

My mistake, I'm still learning proper etiquette for online forums. This is the only one I have ever participated in.

I believe everyone involved should have the choice to cast a secret ballot.

Organizations such as ACCA and ABC are not formed by contractors.

Uh... no. This is from the ABC website.

ABC was founded in 1950 when seven contractors gathered in Baltimore, Md. to create an association based on the shared belief that construction projects should be awarded on merit to the most qualified and responsible low bidders. Their courage and dedication to the merit shop philosophy spread rapidly, and within time, ABC became the fastest-growing association in the United States. Today, ABC is recognized as one of the leading organizations representing America's business community and the U.S. construction industry.

[Dowadudda]

okay, so I finally read the whole thing. I didn't understand earlier. I think the secret ballot is better.

And so, what now? Do I freak out over something which I can't control?

I got skills, and I can make money doing this or other things. I only really care about myself and how much I can earn based on my own performance. I can not control the rest. In the end, the customer decides what and whom they choose to be their "guy"

[RoBoTeq]

My mistake, I'm still learning proper etiquette for online forums. This is the only one I have ever participated in.

I believe everyone involved should have the choice to cast a secret ballot.



Uh... no. This is from the ABC website.

ABC was founded in 1950 when seven contractors gathered in Baltimore, Md. to create an association based on the shared belief that construction projects should be awarded on merit to the most qualified and responsible low bidders. Their courage and dedication to the merit shop philosophy spread rapidly, and within time, ABC became the fastest-growing association in the United States. Today, ABC is recognized as one of the leading organizations representing America's business community and the U.S. construction industry.

The Employee Free Choice Act would take away the employees right to vote.

I did not know that ABC was formed by contractors. Still, it is just a lobbying and training organization and does not have any control of contracting companies.

[temco]

Im not necessarily anti or pro union. But this EFCA has disaster written all over it and I have to think that anyone with basic common sense can see that. It seems to me that this is a move to overcome the fact that the unions are unable to organize on their own merit. To me this is about workers rights be taken away. And I believe this effects all of us union or non union. I would think twice before you say this doesnt effect you and there is nothing you can do about it.

[jpsmith1cm]

Obama and the democratic dominated congress were bought and paid for largely by unions.

You don't think that there will be a quid pro quo?

I do.

This will be rammed through as law. Possibly under aspices of raising the standard of living for everyone by making it easier to unionize.

In a recession, the sheeple will swallow it like they do everything else.

[timebuilder]

Anyone aware of this? Any opinions? I have a feeling I know how this one will be divided amongst our members here, but I am hoping everyone at least knows what is going on.

http://www.workforcefairness.com/

As far as freedom and liberty are concerned, a secret ballot election is an almost "sacred" right.

Period.

[Texas-Tech]

I'd prefer to remain free

[snipe70e]

. Unionizers will know who signed cards and who didn't and so will be able to pressure those who didn't sign. .

What causes unions to push for this is now if a majority of the employees want a union the company with fair lawyers can put off the election for months and in cases years. In the mean time the employeer will attempt to eliminate any employee who wants the union. By signing the card you make yourself a target of the employeer. The employeer will hold anti union meetings. And the truth and what is said at these meetings are normally two different things.

I worked for a large company that owned office prolerty. In december a chief in one building was employee of the year for the bay area. The next year after the company lied and threatened the employees an election was lost. The same employee was fired by the same property managers because he was imcompedent and had been for years. I ended up loosing my job because of that election. And tenants began to move out because of the service they were recieving from the non union engineers.

[mikelcs]

The next year after the company lied and threatened the employees an election was lost.

so is it any different or somehow, more ethical for the union to lie and threaten employees to get the election pushed through?

If you were a member, you must have had no worries when you lost your job because the local had another job all lined up for you. I know that this must be the case because I heard the promise come straight from the horse's mouth.

[timebuilder]

What causes unions to push for this is now if a majority of the employees want a union the company with fair lawyers can put off the election for months and in cases years. In the mean time the employeer will attempt to eliminate any employee who wants the union. By signing the card you make yourself a target of the employeer. The employeer will hold anti union meetings. And the truth and what is said at these meetings are normally two different things.

I worked for a large company that owned office prolerty. In december a chief in one building was employee of the year for the bay area. The next year after the company lied and threatened the employees an election was lost. The same employee was fired by the same property managers because he was imcompedent and had been for years. I ended up loosing my job because of that election. And tenants began to move out because of the service they were recieving from the non union engineers.

I agreee that these things do not always go smoothly, or have the intended outcome. That is how "life" works. I have been a member of three unions in my life. Signing a card does not provide any legal protection from being fired. Smart folks do not reveal that they are pro union before or after a company election. And, other smart people do not sign cards that will essentially put the company out of business if the business has a poor managment team, a weak business model, or just general incompetence that will make a unionized version of their company a "one month wonder."

There is no excuse for ANY American being forced to share how they vote, on ANYTHING. That is the bottom line. Anything else smacks of tyranny.