HAS THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY BOXED ITSELF INTO A CORNER ON LABOR LAW?
I've written often on the strategic mistake the unions made uniting behind the specific solution of card check rather than the general problem of unfair barriers to workers who want to organize. But I'm starting to wonder if the business community hasn't made the same mistake in reverse. They've done a damn good job burying card check. But they haven't convinced anyone that unfair elections aren't a problem.
Last week, a massive coalition of business groups sent a "Dear Senator" letter that stated, "let us be clear and frank on this matter; there can be no acceptable 'compromise' on any issue of labor law reform due to the very real threat posed by EFCA." Huh. "That hardly sounds like bargaining in good faith," sighed the Washington Post. And the increasing perception of employer stubbornness is lending life to compromise proposals. One such idea is being floated by Arlen Specter, who desperately wants SEIU's help in his next election. He's backing a set of fixes that would speed elections -- the vote would come no more than three weeks after a request is filed -- and guarantee organizers "equal time under identical circumstances" to make their pitch to employees. So if management holds a captive audience meeting, then they have to give organizers the same opportunity.
The corporate community opposes this, too. But having predicated their assault on a principled belief in "workplace democracy," it's extremely hard for them to credibly oppose reforms that would help bring democracy to the workplace. Just as the unions chose poor ground when they centered their fight around card check, the business community has made a bad decision centering their counterattack around workplace democracy.
Feeds: 


COMMENTS (53)
Yes, because a public who doesn't understand cap and trade is going to follow card check oh so closely.
Posted by: Rob | May 12, 2009 5:10 PM
I actually think Specter's compromise is better policy. I'd much rather see better enforcement and tightening of the laws on anti-union activity than the card-check and binding arbitration bill.
Posted by: TW Andrews | May 12, 2009 5:22 PM
IIRC, I called this the day after Specter said he wasn't going to change his mind back on EFCA. He heroically brokers a bipartisan compromise and gets a wet sloppy kiss from David Broder and something to put in his reelection campaign ads, unions get some actual movement on their agenda, and the Dems get another senator who, even though he might not be reliable, at least doesn't return the Republican whip's calls. And Specter owns the Specter compromise, so it's his job to get it through the Senate.
(Someone claiming that the excessive focus on EFCA was clever political judo in 3..2..1..)
Posted by: chris | May 12, 2009 5:32 PM
equal time under identical circumstances
Does anyone think anti-union companies would actually adhere to this? Unless enforcement is ramped up and penalties greatly increased management will just break the compromise law, beat back the union campaign and worry about paying paltry sums on the unlikely event they are investigated.
Posted by: majority sign up is still better | May 12, 2009 5:45 PM
Of course, the corporations didn't have a lot of choices about how to run their campaign. What were they going to do? Run the campaign on the inalienable right of employers to fire people who want to start a union?
Posted by: elw | May 12, 2009 5:54 PM
The public could care less about card check.
IF this country was a democracy, instead of a banker-run aristocracy, EFCA would have passed already. Americans have pretty much always been behind it. The only thing those commercials did was give the Democrats an excuse as they did they perform their ritual stabbing in the back of those of us who voted for them.
Never again.
Posted by: soullite | May 13, 2009 5:48 AM
How about MANDATORY elections to certify or de-certify the unions in every workplace on a revolving basis (every four years)? That should answer the objections of both side to the card check...
...and keep local and national union leadership in touch with the workers -- solving the objection most often made to unionizing, that leadership get entrenched and bureaucratic because it faces no real election opposition.
Posted by: Denis Drew | May 13, 2009 9:00 AM
IF this country was a democracy, instead of a banker-run aristocracy, EFCA would have passed already. Americans have pretty much always been behind it. The only thing those commercials did was give the Democrats an excuse as they did they perform their ritual stabbing in the back of those of us who voted for them.
evani
full time part time jobs
http://www.fulltimeparttimejobs.com
Posted by: evani | May 16, 2009 6:17 AM
Dems get another senator who, even though he might not be reliable, at least doesn't return the Republican whip's calls. And Specter owns the Specter compromise, so it's his job to get it through the Senate.
Posted by: sesli chat | June 7, 2009 3:27 AM
Your article very interesting, I have introduced a lot of friends look at this article, the content of the articles there will be a lot of attractive people to appreciate, I have to thank you such an article
Posted by: chi hair straightener | June 15, 2009 10:59 PM
the Republican whip's calls. And Specter owns the Specter compromise, so it's his job to get it through the Senate.
Posted by: lingerie wholesale | June 24, 2009 6:21 AM
Even if you don’t have a pair of Jordan shoes, or a jersey, and only has a collection of Jordan related News Articles, it is understood. Because, Jordan doesn’t need reasons.
Posted by: air jordan shoes | June 24, 2009 9:49 PM
the business elites have boxed themselves in with a pattern of greedy , deceitful, unpatriotic practices ......... The military - industrial complex has turned the USA into a client state of ISRAEL and allowed the US right wing and the Israeli Rapture crowd to merge into a criminal enterprise ....... run by the BILDERBERGS , Gene Moss , Netanyahu , Yossi Peled and Mark Broxmeyer , AIPAC , et al .
Posted by: smedley butler | July 2, 2009 4:37 PM
It is worthy reading your article. I hope there will be a better law which can be carried out effectively.
Posted by: epathchina | July 10, 2009 8:55 PM
biber kapsülü
Posted by: biber kapsülü | July 22, 2009 2:21 PM
göğüs büyütücü krem
Posted by: göğüs büyütücü krem | July 23, 2009 7:50 AM
erotic shop
Posted by: erotic shop | July 23, 2009 7:52 AM
porno izle
Posted by: aytac | July 24, 2009 5:30 PM
fashion jewelry,wholesale jewelry,jewelry wholesale
Posted by: wholesale jewelry | July 27, 2009 3:10 AM
Pretty good post. I just found your site and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed browsing your posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing to your blog and I hope you post again soon!
Posted by: gucci sunglasses | August 4, 2009 4:03 AM
SARAH PALIN's spiritual advisors include RABBI LEVY ITZAK ROSENBAUM and REV.BRUCE ZIONISTA at Melbeach , FL . two one five , four three one eight one seven zero .... not all jews are zionists ---- not all zionists are jews ------ all zionists hate the USA .
Posted by: reality check | August 14, 2009 12:08 PM
Thank you for this wonderful work professionalization
Posted by: Sohbet | August 15, 2009 5:24 PM
thaks admin
Posted by: baros | September 2, 2009 6:33 AM
As for the labor laws, it would practically turn back into business groups..
Posted by: burun estetiği | September 5, 2009 6:46 AM
Thank you very much..
Posted by: sesli chat sohbet | September 8, 2009 1:05 AM
Labor rights are a relatively new addition to the modern corpus of human rights. göğüs toparlama
Posted by: göğüs estetiği | September 8, 2009 7:21 AM
The goal of labor laws is to equalize the bargaining power between employers and employees. The laws primarily deal with the relationship between employers and unions. Labor laws grant employees the right to unionize and allows employers and employees to engage in certain activities so as to have their demands fulfilled. vajina estetiği
Posted by: cinsel organ estetiği | September 11, 2009 7:21 AM
pa-1650-01
gateway pa-1650-01 ac adapter
gateway pa-1650-01
Posted by: pa-1650-01 | September 21, 2009 11:34 AM
Ugg Boots come in so many styles and colors, it's hard to keep track of them all. Men's Uggs come in more basic, classic colors and styles, but for women, it's "anything goes" in terms of colors and styles. After all, women need a pair of shoes for every outfit, and, with Ugg Boots, you can almost do that.
Posted by: Infants Erin Ugg Boots | September 25, 2009 5:04 AM
labor righta should be advocated..burun estetiği
Posted by: göğüs estetiği | October 2, 2009 8:11 AM
So Good admin..
Posted by: Çene Estetiği | October 10, 2009 3:56 PM
Ugg Boots come in so many styles and colors, it's hard to keep track of them all. Men's Uggs come in more basic, classic colors and styles, but for women, it's "anything goes" in terms of colors and styles. After all, women need a pair of shoes for every outfit, and, with Ugg Boots, you can almost do that
Posted by: sex shop | October 12, 2009 8:58 AM
göğüs küçültme ameliyatları thank you..
Posted by: göğüs büyütme ameliyatları | October 14, 2009 5:55 AM
lazer epilasyon thank you..
Posted by: karın germe estetiği | October 14, 2009 5:57 AM
estetik cerrahi good info..
Posted by: karın estetiği ameliyatları | October 14, 2009 6:00 AM
meme küçültme ameliyatı thanks...
Posted by: meme büyütme ameliyatı | October 16, 2009 7:10 AM
Good Doc... Thanks admin....
Posted by: Estetik Doktoru | October 22, 2009 4:56 AM
thank you..
Posted by: Cilingir | October 26, 2009 8:58 AM
After all, women need a pair of shoes for every outfit, and, with Ugg Boots, you can almost do that.
Posted by: Kanser | October 26, 2009 8:59 AM
And Specter owns the Specter compromise, so it's his job to get it through the Senate. :)
Posted by: Zayiflama Hapi | October 26, 2009 9:01 AM
Great topic, they are more attractive than others,
thank you for share, nike air max 90/95 on new models.
Posted by: Nike Air Max | October 28, 2009 2:30 AM
Thank you for your sharing. Supposed to attack these head-on and you will find a deep sense of gratification that will fuel your happiness. Maybe you are also interested in Abercrombie and Fitch. I'm just hearing the curiosity behind it.
Posted by: AF | October 28, 2009 8:02 AM
Thanks for yoursharing. This is a good access to
href="http://www.anf-mall.com">Abercrombie and Fitch
Posted by: Abercrombie and Fitch | October 30, 2009 7:02 AM
Great topic, they are more attractive than others,
thank you for share, nike air max 90/95 on new models.
Posted by: Nike Air Max | October 31, 2009 2:12 AM
Thank you for sharing, and look forward to read more of your nice article.
buydunksb
Posted by: Nike Air Max | October 31, 2009 2:16 AM
Nice for your sharing! Welcome @ : Nike Dunk SB
Posted by: buydunksb | November 3, 2009 12:43 AM
How soon will you update your blog? Bailey Button Ugg Boots
I’m interested in reading some more information on this issue.
Posted by: ugg boots | November 3, 2009 10:44 PM
British people enjoy nike dunk sports shoes. Enter it. You will get a new sightseeing. Young people love sneakers. You will surely love nike dunk.
Posted by: nike dunk | November 5, 2009 1:03 PM
sesli sohbet sesli chat Thnx...
Posted by: sesli sohbet | November 6, 2009 1:50 PM
Hi there,
Ugh, I liked! So clear and positively.
Have a nice day
ugg sale
Posted by: ugg boots uk | November 7, 2009 3:32 AM
I like this post!
Posted by: i9+++ | November 10, 2009 10:35 PM
welcome to goodnikespace
nike shox.
Posted by: nike shox | November 16, 2009 1:24 PM
Good share, Attractive enough for me, thanks for your kind share, Fashionable Christian Louboutin Shoes Keeps with you at any time.
Posted by: Christian Louboutin | November 21, 2009 1:13 AM