With Franken seated, labor plans to press pro-union bill

[Omaha Steve]

http://thehill.com/business--lobby/with-franken-seated-labor--plans-to-press-pro-union-bill-2009-07-06.html

By Kevin Bogardus and Jim Snyder
Posted: 07/06/09 06:27 PM
Al Franken’s victory in Minnesota over incumbent Norm Coleman gives Democrats the 60th vote they need to overcome Republican filibusters — assuming, of course, they can keep their often-feuding caucus unified.

That may be a tall order, but Franken’s win is undeniably a victory for the party and particularly for labor, of which the former “Saturday Night Live” comedian is an unabashed fan.

Union officials plan to renew their push for a controversial bill that would make it easier for employees to organize, legislation that has stalled so far this Congress under a massive lobbying campaign by business groups that oppose it as a threat to an already listless economy.

“Now is the time to create real change. Minnesotans and working families everywhere should be encouraged by the addition of Sen. Franken,” said Josh Goldstein, spokesman for American Rights at Work, a worker-rights advocacy group.

“We must not back down in reminding our leaders that working families are counting on them to pass this legislation, because big business will continue to be relentless in their attacks.”

Aides for Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), the bill’s lead negotiator, have said the seating of Franken is key to moving the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), also known as “card-check.”

FULL story at link.

[Sebastian Doyle]

1. Anybody who votes against the EFCA

Is NOT a Democrat, no matter what lies they tell about themselves.

[tritsofme]

2. Not all Democrats are comfortable with card check.

I think the secret ballot procedures can be reformed without going as far as card check.

We can have a strong compromise without card check, or labor can walk away and take nothing as some suggested when this debate heated up earlier in the year.

[Omaha Steve]

3. EFCA does not eliminate the secret ballot period

It takes the choice away from the employer and lets the employee decide which method they want to use. Card check OR secret ballot. What is so bad about the employee making that decision?

And what makes you think it is a fair election process? See the Labor Forum video posted today. It is what Shop Ko is now making ALL it's employees watch. And there is no union representative there to say which parts of the video are not correct.

[tritsofme]

4. It is the de facto elimination of the secret ballot.

It would never be in the interest of labor to pursue a secret ballot if they can get the cards signed.