Celebrating Freedom … And Staying Free from Unions

As we celebrate our 233rd birthday this weekend we wanted to wish you a wonderful weekend with family and loved ones.

The Declaration of Independence was conceived based upon the concept that people had the “right” to pursue “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” This freedom is what makes our country unique, and great. The ability to express oneself is an inalienable right, protected by the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights.

And it’s interesting, when elements of Congress don’t get what they want initially, how they can try again, especially if their “benefactors” want them to!!

By this we mean “Card Check” legislation. It’s baaaaaaaaack according to an email from NEMA. The email states:

We have learned that some form of the misnamed “Employee Free Choice Act” may come up for a vote in Congress this July. The legislation would replace the well-established secret ballot electrion process for deciding union memberships with a “card check”, and woudl subject employees and employers to mandatory binding arbitration if they ail to agree on contract terms within a specified period of time.

Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), who is managing EFCA in the Senate, has pledged
action on some form of EFCA before the August recess. If the Senate us
unable to pass an alternative “compromise” version of the bill, the current form of EFCA could be brought before the Senate for a vote. Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis have reiterated the administration’s support for this legislation.

Now is the perfect time to contact your legislators – especially Senators –
and urge them to oppose EFCA in ANY form. While it is important that every
Member of Congress hear from manufacturers (and distributors) on this important issue, it is critical to contact the following Senators during the July 4th recess period to urge them to oppose all votes (including cloture) on EFCA in any form:

Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN), phone 202-224-5623, fax 202-228-1377
Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) phone 202-224-5852, fax 202-228-5036
Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC) phone 202-224-6342, fax 202-228-2563
Senator Mary Landrieu(D-LA) phone 202-224-5824, fax 202-224-9735
Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) phone 202-224-4843, fax 202-228-1371
Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) phone 202-224-6551, fax 202-228-0012
Senator Mark Pryor (D-AR) phone 202-224-2353, fax 202-228-0908
Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA) phone 202-224-4254, fax 202-228-1229
Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) phone 202-224-2023, fax 202-224-6295
Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) phone 202-224-4024, fax 202-228-6363

Several of these senators have asked for details of how the EFCA would
impact specific employers. NEMA members (and all companies) are encouraged to explain how this legislation could impact their operations or cost jobs.

We encourage you to call your Senator and one of the above (or flood their faxes). You can also email them at NEMA’s “Take Action” website.

On this weekend when our forefathers declared our freedom, let’s make sure that we retain the right to secret ballots and choice. Why save unions (who are losing members) and why ask for increased goverment involvement?

Enjoy your 4th!