(H.R. 1409 and S.560). Introduced in the 111th Congress by Rep George Miller (D-CA) and Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA), this legislation would take away American workers’ right to a private election and instead replace it with the “card check” process.
Ballot Protection Act of 2011 (
S. 217 and H.R. 972), introduced by Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) and Rep. Phil Roe (R-TN). This legislation guarantees the right of every worker to a secret-ballot vote on decisions regarding union representation.
There can be no compromise on eliminating the rights of workers to vote by private ballot in union organizing elections. ABC will oppose any federal legislation that deprives American workers of the ability to make a fully informed decision and exercise their right to vote in a secret ballot election without fear of intimidation or recrimination. A Coalition for a Democratic Workplace (CDW) poll found that:
- 74% of voters and union households oppose EFCA.
- 82% of voters, and 85% of union households favor having a federally supervised election as a means to “protect the individual rights of workers."
There can be no compromise on the imposition of unprecedented government imposed mandatory binding interest arbitration in labor contract negotiations. ABC will oppose any federal legislation that invites government into the workplace to impose contracts on workers and employers. ABC also opposes any effort to deprive workers and employers of having a voice in approving or rejecting their own contracts.
There can be no compromise that is designed to limit free speech and silence debate – both of which are vital components in any true election.