More than a thousand business leaders have joined together today as Business Leaders for a Fair Economy to express their support for the Employee Free Choice Act:
The coalition was formed to give businesses supportive of workers’ rights a voice and to promote employer backing of the Employee Free Choice Act. The national group of employers, entrepreneurs, and business leaders says good-paying jobs create demand for the goods and services they provide, and that when America’s workers do well, it leads to a stronger, more sustainable national economy, which benefits companies from Main Street to Wall Street. Already, 1,000 business leaders have publicly endorsed the Employee Free Choice Act…
“We believe the Employee Free Choice Act is sound public policy,” said Roger Smith, President and CEO of American Income Life Insurance Company and National Income Life Insurance Company, who chairs the new coalition. “As a CEO, I challenge other responsible business leaders to support this landmark legislation. What is good for workers is good for business.”
“As a business owner, I believe that workers should have the freedom to bargain with employers for good wages, health care and the opportunity to retire with dignity,” said Diana Ortiz, owner of Colorado-based Ortiz Enterprises, LLC, and member of the coalition’s advisory committee. “Better wages mean that the whole community has more money to spend and to build our economy.” Ortiz’s business was recently named “Small Business of the Decade” by the Pueblo Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
The coalition has taken out a full-page ad in today’s Wall Street Journal, The Hill, and Politico, and has sent a letter to Congress urging them to pass the Employee Free Choice Act.
The Hill reports on the new group’s launch:
“Unions create a buy-in. It lets our employees know that we care about what they are thinking and what they are feeling,” said Roger Smith, president and CEO of American Income Life Insurance Co., who chairs the new coalition. “Because of that, we have a more productive workforce and we have better benefits.”
The coalition is running full-page print ads starting Thursday in national and congressional newspapers, including The Hill. They also are sending a letter to lawmakers on Capitol Hill asking them to pass the bill, which would allow workers to bypass secret-ballot elections if a majority sign cards saying they want a union and removes the employer’s right to insist on such an election.
The group is also hosting a series of business roundtables in Arkansas, Colorado and Pennsylvania on the measure.
You can learn more about the coalition on its Web site, FairEconomyNow.org.
Comments (7)
Comments posted to CtW Connect are the sole property of the individual posting them, and do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of Change to Win, its affiliated unions, or its leadership.
The Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) seems like it should be a no-brainer for Democrats. By the very nature of being a Democrat, such legislators should support legislation that makes it easier for employees to organize.
There has been a lot of mis-information going on concerning the "secret ballot." It is my understanding that if 30% of the workers who have signed Authorization "A" cards want a secret ballot, then that is what will take place. Right now it is up to the company whose employees are trying to organize to decide on a secret ballot election. This is not right, as the employer should have nothing to do with the organization efforts of the employees.
Thank you for your time.
Posted by David Corless on June 5, 2009 at 4:00 PM
Posted on June 5, 2009 at 4:00 PM
The Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) seems like it should be a no-brainer for Democrats. By the very nature of being a Democrat, such legislators should support legislation that makes it easier for employees to organize.
There has been a lot of mis-information going on concerning the "secret ballot." It is my understanding that if 30% of the workers who have signed Authorization "A" cards want a secret ballot, then that is what will take place. Right now it is up to the company whose employees are trying to organize to decide on a secret ballot election. This is not right, as the employer should have nothing to do with the organization efforts of the employees.
Thank you for your time.
Posted by David Corless on June 5, 2009 at 4:00 PM
Posted on June 5, 2009 at 4:00 PM
The Democrats In Congress and President Obama have got to pass 1) EFCA 2) National Medical Care 3) The Trade Act(New Model On Trade Agreements) so that big business can no longer exploit working people and continue to demolish entire industries 4) Pass new legislation placing a mandatory price cap on energy and gasoline for the American consumer 5) President Obama needs to appoint people who have a friendly track record on labor issues to the NLRB 6) Pass new legislation to end the excessive market speculation that puts pressure on oil and gas companies to drive up the price to enrich stock investors and investment bankers. If President Obama working with Congress can get these crucial things done our country and our people will be much better off for it.
Posted by Working Man on June 7, 2009 at 2:11 AM
Posted on June 7, 2009 at 2:11 AM
if you care about employees having any rights then why do you want to take away their right to choose a vote a union in?
Posted by dennis on June 19, 2009 at 5:53 PM
Posted on June 19, 2009 at 5:53 PM
I don't see how the EFCA would make a difference. As it stands today, employers cannot retaliate against workers who openly support unions... but it happens anyway. The EFCA wouldn't change a thing. How about starting the, "mandatory labor union act?" Let's be realistic people! The EFCA is a waste of time!
Posted by Allison on June 26, 2009 at 3:17 AM
Posted on June 26, 2009 at 3:17 AM
I warned you about this... When people change the names of things to the opposite of what they are to confuse and distract you, be very scared. The freedom to choose can be easily taken away under the guise of "helping to protect"... You are smart and capable enough to take care of yourself and make your own choices. Guard your freedoms!
Posted by GeorgeOrwell on June 26, 2009 at 9:20 AM
Posted on June 26, 2009 at 9:20 AM
EFCA is a fraud on the American worker. It takes away the right to decide in private and forces an associate to publicly declare their allegiance.
There is NOTHING in the current legislation which determines if a secret ballot vote is required or not and the workers will not decide, the union will. As soon as the card is signed, the worker has transferred all their rights to the union agent and has therefore lost 100% of individual rights. Those lost rights cannot be retrieved.
The only free choice is a secret ballot.
Posted by George P. Burdell on June 26, 2009 at 11:50 PM
Posted on June 26, 2009 at 11:50 PM