On Labor Day, Oppose Job-Killing Legislation
Katie Gage
September, 3, 2010
The Hill
America first celebrated Labor Day in 1882 as a sign of good will toward unions in New York City. Shortly thereafter, Congress signed a bill making Labor Day a national holiday.
Our nation’s actions concerning Labor Day are still welcomed by many as an extra day off work and an excuse to light up barbeques one last time before summer is out. Politicians take it as their cue to start campaigning in earnest, making sure to hit local parades and picnics. Union bosses view Labor Day as the start of the spending season as they try to buy favor with as many politicians as possible.
What is Big Labor after? The answer is simple, power and money. They are demanding legislation like the Employee ‘Forced’ Choice Act (EFCA), which would essentially allow the government to take over America’s small businesses. EFCA would serve as a windfall for labor bosses funneling billions of dollars into their coffers so they can afford to fund campaign tours and reward politicians who carry their water.
For Big Labor, political campaigns are big business. The SEIU alone has pledged to spend $44 million on campaigns this year, despite its dangerously under-funded pensions and tens of millions of dollars worth of debt. Union bosses can afford to throw this kind of money around because they run a ponzi scheme with their pension plans so devastating and far-reaching, it would make Bernie Madoff blush.
Union organizers attract recruits by promising them secure pensions and benefits. Once the new recruits are signed up and paying dues, the bosses decide where those dollars go. And predictably, the money ends up funding Big Labor’s favorite campaigns or lining the union boss’ pockets, instead of going to retirements.
However, Big Labor’s appetite is hard to satisfy and they usually find themselves spending more than they actually have. Not one to be discouraged by things like ethics or common sense, union heads don’t think twice about dipping into worker pension funds for extra cash. However, even this can’t last forever, and eventually the bill owed to workers will come due.
This is where Big Labor hopes that all those campaign donations will pay off. Labor bosses are turning to Congress and demanding that EFCA become law so they can bail out their under-funded commitments. EFCA would accomplish this by forcing workers into unions by eliminating the secret ballot and instituting a pubic card check process opening up individuals to coercion and intimidation. Next, once a bargaining unit has been formed, unless a small business agrees to Big Labor’s terms, the government will mandate a contract on employees and employers alike without their consent.
Big Labor has been trying to push the Employee ‘Forced’ Choice Act with all their might. But they have run into the reality that the legislation will increase unemployment costing America up to 600,000 jobs in just one year.
This Labor Day, Members of Congress and candidates for Federal office should keep the labor force in mind, not the union bosses desperate to compensate for their recklessness and mismanagement with job-killing legislation.