Employee Free Choice Act--Featuring Mary Beth Maxwell

Run time: 08:06 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_zkU4rEIhQ   Posted on YouTube: July 08, 2008 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: May 11, 2009 By DU Member: Earth Bound Misfit Views on DU: 873

 
Video produced for SEIU about the Employee Free Choice Act. Features American Rights at Work Executive Director--and now senior adviser to Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis--Mary Beth Maxwell, Profs Harley Shaiken & Gordon Lafer speak about the Act, Union-Busting etc. Recommend viewing.

EBM

ETA: Also features some very courageous, well informed health care workers.

Information, knowledge and organization is POWER.

Thanks for sharing this.

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Information, knowledge and organization ARE? POWER:silly:

What is grammatically correct?

:kick:

Even here on the DU...***sigh*** :shrug:

:shrug:

DUer DireStrike wrote this on another thread about EFCA:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=367x18698#18806

I'd guess it's different in the labor forum, but maybe not.

The arcane legal systems developed to shield businesses from unionization have a chilling effect on conversation about union organization. People just don't understand what it is all about. I don't understand either, and it would require a lot of reading just to be up to speed. I just take it on faith that progressive labor people know what they're talking about, and support it.
********************

I thought it was a fair explanation.

Just got my response letter from him today, and it doesn't look good. Although I admit it is rather vague as to his actual position.

http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/kohlefca

*Edited to add his response to my original letter.

Dear Mr. (Seldona's real name):

As you know, the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA)
would amend the National Labor Relations Act to change the way
employees form or become members of labor organizations.
Specifically, the EFCA recognizes a union when a majority of
employees have signed an authorization card. Twenty days after a
union presents its cards to the employer, contract negations must
begin. If the union and employer have not agreed to a contract
within the first ninety days of negotiation, the process will move to
arbitration through the Federal Mediation Service. The bill also
strengthens penalties for employee rights' violations when
businesses engage in unfair labor practices, including firing union
organizers or threatening workers.

As a business man, I understand the concerns of people
who are worried about the erosion of the secret ballot in this bill.
At the same time, we need to protect the employee's right to form
a union. Today, of all the industrialized countries in the world, the
U.S. has the lowest rate of unionization. Unions are an important
part of our democracy and our economy. In the 1970's when
union membership was at an all time high, the middle class was
thriving. Unions helped create the middle class in this country and
without them middle class wages will continue to stagnate.

I am hopeful that we can pass a bill that strikes a fair
balance for the workers and employers in this country. Be assured I
will keep your thoughts in mind should the Senate debate this bill.




Sincerely,


Herb Kohl
U.S. Senator

I wrote a letter to Kohl, but anticipate a response much like the others I have gotten from other out-of-state members of Congress--"Thank you for contacting_____, but unfortunately since you are not a member of _____'s constituency, WHO GIVES A F@#K what you think..." in 5...4...3...:shrug:

His response is much like the other "fence-sitters" I have seen--Waiting to see what's in it for MOI...