A broad and diverse array of Americans -- Democrats and Republicans, workers and business leaders, newspaper editorial boards, and others -- have risen up to oppose the Employee Forced Choice Act as a dramatic overreach that threatens one of America's most sacred democratic rights -- the private ballot.
Listen to what they have to say in their own words.
A Former Demcoratic Nominee for Preident:
"Voting is an immense privilege. That is why I am concerned about a new development that could deny this freedom to many Americans. As a longtime friend of labor unions, I must raise my voice against pending legislation I see as a disturbing and undemocratic overreach not in the interest of either management or labor. The legislation is called the Employee Free Choice Act, and I am sad to say it runs counter to ideals that were once at the core of the labor movement. Instead of providing a voice for the unheard, EFCA risks silencing those who would speak."
Foreign Governments
"The Mexican Supreme Court (SCJN), in a historic decision on September 11, granted workers the right to a secret ballot in union representation elections. Benedicto Martínez, a leader of the Authentic Labor Front (FAT), called the decision an important step toward union democracy. The demand for the secret ballot in elections where workers choose a union to represent them has been at the top of the agenda of the democratic workers’ movement in Mexico for decades."
National Newspaper Editorial Boards
"Under a major rewrite of U.S. labor law being promoted by unions, when more than 50% of employees sign authorization cards, the NLRB would have to recognize the new union. No campaign. No secret ballot... The proposed change would give unions and pro-union employees more incentive to use peer pressure, or worse, to persuade reluctant workers to sign their cards. And without elections, workers who weren't contacted by union organizers would have no say in the final outcome."
Union Members & Retirees
“I have been a landscaper for a large company for about a year and a half. I would like to see this company unionized; the union offers good benefits and fights for fair wages. Even though I support the union, I believe that everyone's vote should be kept private if unionization were to come up for a vote. The American way has always been to conduct votes by secret ballot, and it should remain this way. The union does not need any more authority.”
“As a member of a union for several years, I feel I must speak out against the Card Check Bill. I believe having a union can be a good thing, but an employee should be able to vote in private on whether or not they want to be represented by one. Taking away the right to private vote is unfair to the employees.”
“In the 1970s, I was a member of the Southern Folders Union. The union was not much help back then, but at least my preference for the union was a private matter. Regardless, when issues come up like the Presidential elections, government elections, or any election that is of concern to me, I vote by mail in a sealed private ballot. All voting issues should be done privately, including union representation.”
“It has recently been brought to my attention that the EFCA will take away the American worker's right to vote with a secret ballot. Deciding if they would or would not like to be supported by a union is a very private thing. Making people vote openly can and will increase coercion and sway the voting process.”
Ordinary Americans
“Voting privately is a great privilege that should never be taken for granted. In November, I will proudly exercise my right as an American and privately vote for our nations next President. My vote will be unbiased and based solely on who I personally believe is the best person to run this country. If the Card Check bill is implemented it will be a great injustice to all voters, not only those who seek to form unions.”
“The Employee Free Choice Act is wrongly named. This bill is unconstitutional and unfair to the American worker. It gives more power to the labor unions and less to the laborer. The secret ballot is an American institution and protects us against possible harassment. This should not be changed to open voting where our very livelihood could be harmed.”
“This is the first time that I have ever written to a member of Congress regarding a political issue, but I am concerned about the Employee Free Choice Act. This bill would eliminate the right for employees to vote for unionization in private. I believe it would also enable union organizers to be present each time voting takes place, and encourage federal government interference in the voting process.”
“I care deeply about America and want to see things improve for our workers. I am afraid this legislation might cause the working class citizens of our country to fear losing their jobs if they are forced to make their votes public. I urge you to vote against the Employee Free Choice Act. It is not in the best interests of American workers.”
“Let workers decide for themselves what they want to vote for, ensure this by keeping voting private. Workers deserve to be employed in a friendly atmosphere, without worrying who is their enemy. Keep democracy alive in America, vote against the Card Check bill.”
