Card check ensures free union elections

In 1935, our country was suffering from the effects of a serious economic collapse, similar to what we are going through today. In a spirited attempt by our government to restore the financial system, it created the National Labor Relations Act or The Wagner Act. That law, very simply, stated that workers have the right to form unions by having free and unobstructed elections in the workplace. In turn, unions, over the years through collective bargaining, were able to provide safe working conditions, fair wages, the 40-hour workweek, overtime pay, pensions and health care for their members.

Wagner should have been able to stand on the merits of the law alone, but since its inception, a more unscrupulous business community has emerged and been allowed to intimidate their employees during the election development. The choice of whether to form a union or not should be in the workers' hands - not their bosses. The Employee Free Choice Act or "card check" is an effort to create a level playing field so a fair and unimpeded election can be achieved.

Some groups in the business community will declare that unions and the card check amendment will do away with democratic elections by not allowing secret ballots. That sudden outcry from our opponents for "a voice in the workplace" for their employees is quite paradoxical, considering the election is about just that, a "representative voice" for the workers. Under the amendment proposed, workers will have a choice of either a secret ballot or a majority signup. The same rules will remain that an election that has been won by the unions by either election method can be overturned by the membership at its very first meeting.

The question we need to ask ourselves is: Do workers have a right to form unions without interference from employers? With the rules as determined by the National Labor Relations Board, at this present time, that is not possible.

Pete Culver

Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local 21

Elgin