The struggle for the Employee Free Choice Act

[theevilone9876]

Maybe the real reason big labor has a problem with the secret ballot system is that a worker could vote against certification and then lie to the union organizers and tell them that he voted for it. With a secret ballot system union organizers don’t know who is voting against them, which means they can’t bully people into voting their way.

[tenkins]

I think it is awesome how most of the comments on here are anti-union. Including me! HA! There is no logic at all behind unionization, people whine that corporations are greedy. What do you think a union is? They don't do SHIT! Except take your money.

[tenkins]

Who is John Galt?

[MrWyoming67]

Secret ballots are what this country is based on. This bull dyke bitch has no clue what she is talking about...like most Harvard drips.

[gopconservative78]

Unions get paid $75000 a year for no work, strike all the time.....what a utter waste. Unions ruined the American Auto Makers.....the Japanese Car makers won and make FAR better cars that crap Unions make. Unions=Communism and must be utterly destroyed

[tenkins]

@gopconservative78 You are so right. Have you read Atlas Shrugged?

[Max20854]

If you want to send more jobs overseas and destroy the emerging auto factories in the Southern US then pass EFCA.

[ExposedHeads]

Democrats are puppets of the unions. The unions have bought and paid for the scumbag Democrat party and expect them to deliver everything the union demands.

Right now employees have a free choice to make their vote known or not.

Under this bill they loose their choice and how they vote will be FORCED to be exposed to the union bosses.

This bill is critical for the union bosses - and why they have spent over $200 MILLION in worker's dues they've collected to make sure it passes.

[ejmilchak]

This bill will pas very soon.......all you rich CEO's get ready to grab your butt cheeks. The CEO's won't work withouta contract so why should the working class. This bill should have been passed years ago.

[Paetaor]

If the workers really want a union they can go elsewhere to hold meetings.

The workers don't own the factory.

[sircesare]

they might not own the factory but they make the factory run, which i more important then owning the factory.

[marceads]

Exactly...they don't have a "right to work there". They do however, have a right to walk out.

[FluxCapacitor2008]

Dont come back with any of your scare tactics, the current economic model is to maximize profits and keep the wealth pooled at the top and that inturn keeps the country and the middle class in debt. Then they have their soldiers hammer down wages, divide the work force and make people think its for their own good

[FluxCapacitor2008]

I know that an organized work force scars the hell out of you 3% guys or you $250k and up guys. Companies that move overseas should be taxed to hell and companies that stay in the US should have vary low taxes. If companies move overseas for the cheep labor the items that they send back to the states should be taxed to hell.

[FluxCapacitor2008]

How long has your free to go one way market been in place and still you free market guys are bitching about $5 dollar gas and $10 dollar happy meals? They told you that supply and demand pushed gas to $5 dollars; not true, it was deregulation of the commodities market. The free markets just like the roads you drive needs checks and balances. You cant have a completely free market if you do you will have massive taxpayer bailouts, ran away fuel markets, housing bubblesand the list gos on.

[FluxCapacitor2008]

The bottom line is the majority of the people are sick of the top 3% controlling the economic and political landscape for personal gain. The middle class majority will keep organizing and we will keep targeting the senators and congress men that do not conform to the will of the majority.

[marceads]

What is American about not having a private ballot you commie cunt.

[lumkitcheez]

workers get to choose whether they wANT a private ballot OR a card check yo.

THE BOSS DONT GET TO CHOOSE.

If you are American, you will listen to the people, not the big bosses.

[marceads]

Why don't you grow a real set if you are not happy and go it on your own. I did, and I realized before I started my own business that having a job is not a right, it is something that you should work for and a blessing. Look at the GM and Chrysler workers...I know people that worked there and bragged about how little they did at their jobs. Look at what that attitude gained them. Unions ran their course 20 years ago...face it.

[lumkitcheez]

Unions ran their course 20 years ago in an industrial setting. Our country have now turned to a service sector setting. Can't compare and unions will forever be around.

Imagine if you get paid below poverty level, have no paid time off, health benefits, overtime.

Would you care to be the most productive worker, or would you just roll in to work or just work the status quo.

Imagine if people get paid a living wage, we'll all spend it on the American economy to revitalize our country.

[marceads]

Can't buy into it...sorry. I use to work one of those jobs while in college and just out. I worked on a hog farm and got paid less than minimum wage because farmers could legally pay a dollar less than minimum wage at the time. I appreciated that job and new that it was giving me valuable experience even at the time. I now own a successful business and attribute my work ethic to all work experience that I have had. All it takes is initiative and good attitude. Anyone can do it.

[buffdiggy]

@marceads If you think they do little work now, wait to see how little they do without the pay and benefits of the union.

[MrWyoming67]

@buffdiggy get a clue and have some accountability. I have had to manage superfund projects and saw first hand how the labor unions operate...like a bunch of henchmen. I have no use for them or people like you.

[buffdiggy]

@MrWyoming67 And Companys don't. Here's a clue for you. Companys are UNIONS. Think about that. My UNION paychecks are taxed before i receive them.

[buffdiggy]

@marceads It's really hard to find the good Companys to work for when you are not related to the Boss. Family member , inlaw, friend, or even friend of friend, Etc. I've learned Merit only comes after that. I'll just hope I can fullfill my UNION contract, and collect my small pension. .

[MrWyoming67]

@buffdiggy please listen to yourself...you are pathetic just like every union prick I have ever met. Just keep on making up excuses. I have heard all of the union excuses and they are all laughable. Face it, you have been making excuses your entire life for you own shortcomings.

[tenkins]

@MrWyoming67 I agree with you, there isn't a single argument that unions make that hold up to scrutiny. Not one! All they talk about is how great they used to be giving us a weekend and a 40 hour week! I want evidence that that they are doing anything good now. I challenged the Mayor of Lansing, Virg Bernero, to show me evidence after I wrote an anti-union thing on his facebook wall and he sent me a bunch of ideology crap. He can't find the evidence either. Fucke em all!

[marceads]

Commie bull dyke. Lyle Alzado called and wants his voice back.

[Zumzammim]

This zionist government will not support this yet they give SS, Unemployment benifits, and free health care and college to illegal immigrants aka "guest workers" this is why America is going down the drain.

[spiritsA]

In example countries, it's either no power or too much power to unions.

Reason why employers will fire their subordinates who are starting a union is because they have to share their hard earned piece of the pie. The difference between union and non-union wages is simply too large of a gap to be legitimate, most of the time for doing something so minimal. Instead of asking for higher wages, they should upgrade their skills and find another job.

But eyesonly's comment is legit in his case.

[spiritsA]

I mean june201955's comment is legit, not referring to eyesonly

[june201955]

I can see and understand why a workers union is needed in certain businesses today. I, and my co-workers have had to put up with a tyrant for an employer. Everyone of us workers hate him for his unfair practices towards us but most have been intimidated (by him) for fear of losing their job. The job that we do (truck driving) is paid at salary w/o overtime whereas it should be hourly w/overtime. He knows that each driver averages 3 hrs. over (for free) 40 every week just to get their job done.

[joediaz001]

damn, I thought that lady was that actor, what's his name?

[Air420]

John Travolta?

[thermalfreek]

Exxon Mobile just purchased Walmart!!! Looks like they are looking for leverage on any decision of unions in the workforce!!!

[thermalfreek]

Made you look!! LOL!!! Go Unions!!!

[danger0usknowledge]

Notice the phony Walter Cronkite, Jack Web intonation of the voice over of the anti-union advert. Straight from the 1950's. Corp MSM & Fox News waited until the banks & AIG got theirs but when it came to mortgage bailout it was HOLD ON!! We can manage socialism for the rich & Santelli's derivatives traders but socialism for the middle class? Then it becomes more like French **Communisism** & protecting Toyota & Hyundai & let GM go bankrupt b/c Toyota has non union southern political backing.

[thecreammaster1]

My great grandfather, my great uncles, my grandfather, many of the men in my family worked in a steel mill for generations in Phoenixville, PA. When many of them were killed on the job, which they were by crushing, molten ingots, loss of limbs, etc due to faulty equipment or no safety regulations the body was wrapped in a sheet and thrown on their lawn. Unions exist because of the blood of my ancestors so that doesnt happen today... so we got smart and they shipped out the industry with our $

[lynchmobb2000]

There's power in the factory,

There's power in the land,

There's power in the hand of the worker!

But it all amounts to nothing if together we don't stand,

There is power in the union!

[DemonosZXZ]

wow bro I am a sheep because I end a word with a certain suffix you don't approve of wtf is wrong with you buddy? Bro i've heard of people who have judgemental minds but to actually be so judgemental that you are afraid of words makes you not only give power to the word I use but also a fool in the first place. Do you speak another language or something?

I guess your into nitpickism as well haha.

[CrimewatchMTA]

if it weren't for unions we wouldn't have what we have today, unions are a good thing in my opinion because it keeps employers in check when it comes to fair treatment/wage of employees.. shout out to the AFL-CIO GO UNION!

[DemonosZXZ]

lol no unions haha morons. why do you think were not brittish retards you guys all support a monarchy form of corporatism. GOOD LUCK SHEEPLES

[n8iveidiot13]

why does everything have to be described with ism at the end of it? is it because of terrorism? make the word seem more bad than it actually is? or ist why ist? is it because the word terrorist was such a success that it won an election that you see it as bad so you put it behind a word to descredit it. you sir are the sheep

[FreemanMk2]

ahahhhh the "free choice" gimmick.

[sirbata]

NO UNIONS... PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Cefuroxx]

fif

[jortizz]

I don't disagree with unions being formed and asking for what they want from their employers. I'm against Unions getting these rights through special laws. I'm equally against Corporations getting anti-union laws.

Union laws of any kind should not be a government issue. It should be left up to the employer and employees to enter into agreements without special laws for either one of them.

[wasearcher]

Unions have been necessary because of the abuses by employers including the use of violence in the past. The government has had to get involved to protect the rights of the workers since the government has allowed corporations to become so large and apparently beyond control.

[spiritsA]

if employees are being treated so badly, they have the "right" to choose to LEAVE the workplace. That's their "right".

You go into someone's business and demand - from the government - how the workplace should be like.

Know your place, seriously.

[BudnCandi]

Just to be the Devil's advocate......

What if all the employers decided to abuse all their employees. So, you left one abusive employer for another, just as an abusive employer. Do the people then have the right to ask Government to step in then ?

How about when companies decide not to hire certain people of color, or religion, or political beliefs ? If you leave a man with no option,he is damned if does or damned if he doesn't, society breaks down and revolts happen. Check your history.

[spiritsA]

Referring to BudnCandi,

"option", to union, means getting paid 2x-3x as much for doing something they don't deserve.

This makes the company unsustainable. That's the union I have grown to know, at least in Canada.

Union is employee greed, Union isn't about preventing employers from 'abusing' employees. It's all about getting paid 2x-3x as much for something they don't deserve getting paid for.

Employer is offered a salary and you can choose whether to work for them or not work for them.

[BudnCandi]

Do you know why unions came into being ?? I am not saying that most Unions didn't morph into greed machines. So, Unions came into being because of poor working conditions, low wages for workers vs high profits for employers, and protection from abuse. "People" screwed up Unions. The idea still has merit. Employers can't make money without the employee and vice versa. A fair contract with the 2 parties would protect both the employer and employed. Keeps the air clear for production & making $.

[spiritsA]

Yes, a contract with clearly written document. But that's not about Union anymore. That's an agreement between the employee and employer.

I guess the government (not union) can step in and make sure these agreements are made.

Union in this day and age means getting what they do not deserve. I'm certain the next 'segment' of the video will mention about this point i just made.

[BudnCandi]

What they do or don't deserve is subjective. Both sides of the deal have points of view. Yes, employees can become employers.But, both sides need each other.Employers wouldn't be in business without employees.Since corporations are really just people in business together, why should one group of people deserve more than another group?CEO's deserve the millions they get? Unions participate in a contract with the employer. CBA's,Collective Bargaining Agreements,are contracts. U call it what U want

[spiritsA]

I'm not so sure it's subjective. Not in Canada at least.

Mail sorter = $24CAD/hr

Transportation ticket Checker = $22-$25/hr

And yet, every once in awhile, they go on strike.

I respect your argument, but I've been seeing too many inequalities around here due to Unions.

Businesses is about investment in time and money, most of them fail. I don't think you should expect businesses that succeed to share reward that came with their risks.

[BudnCandi]

Risk is a 2 sided street. The employer task a risk with $ and time.The employee takes a risk of body while doing the work for said business and the risk of the CEO running the business into the ground. Forcing the worker to find another job.(if there is 1 to be found)What of the time put into the company to build it up by the employee?They shouldn't have a chair at the table to settle their collective worth to the success of the company?Unions used right helps everyone.Even CEO's.Just an opinion

[observer855]

If no employer meets your needs, start your own business. If you aren't capable of that, than you don't deserve to make a lot of money.

[MrWyoming67]

@wasearcher violence is what unions use...right? I have worked around them in the region and know that they threaten it all of the time.

[tenkins]

@MrWyoming67 HELL YES they are violent! I almost got my ass kicked in the parking lot after a union organizing meeting JUST FOR ASKING QUESTIONS!!!! FUCK THAT!

[eyesonly654]

While what you say seems to be assively unfair, its right. It should be the employers decission. Which is why people should be more inclined to self-employ. But government employees --firemen, teachers, city workers-- should have the right to unionize and not be left up to state or city governments.

[FriedDaisy]

eyesonly654: you're prepared to extend unions to firemen, teachers, & city workers, and I'm guessing that's because they are expected to provide necessary services to the general public w/o bias. What about people in health care-- nurse, nurses aids & ancillary health hospital staff? What about child care workers? What about truckers & railroad workers who bring needed goods to all corners of the country? What about grocery store workers? What about roofers, plumbers, electricians, carpenters?

[eyesonly654]

I myself am a pre-med student, and while my income isn't a reason for choosing my profession, doesn't mean I am in favor of recieving inadequate pay for my work. Perhaps more careers should be socialized? I simply believe the average wal-mart employee should understand the terms of his/her employment; his obligations and his employers. If one would like to apeal to Their employers, they should do so. I'm all for giving people the right to do so, its just that I personally wouldn't in an entry

[eyesonly654]

contd*

Wouldn't do so because I wouldn't see much in my actions in that sort of a setting. If you believe you'll get what you want by organizing and bringing your complaints would make a big difference I encourage you to do so. However, keep in mind that government employees and careers which require extensive schooling and credentials will always be less expendable than a theatre ticket handler. If Burger King wants to unionize thats fine, But the manager can easily fire and hire to replace.

[spiritsA]

That's the issue they're discussing right now eyesonly. There's this bill called the Employee Free Choice Act that may be passed, and employers will not be allowed to fire the employees if it happens so that the employees wants to create a union. So chances are that if employers tries to fire an employee in Union, the employee actually have a say in it. Very strange.

[eyesonly654]

contd*

It'll be a lot harder to lose employment. In whatever you do, you have to be the best of the best. Social darwinism is alive and well, and while no one should be mistreated by their employer, you can't expect to recieve the same type of payment and benefits that a Law professor does when you're working at an entry level position! Demands for health careers are through the roof! The reason why a Nurse/Doctor/Surgeon won't loose their job is because they are vital to their careers!

[FriedDaisy]

jortizz: we have a problem called the corporation-- a profit generating business model which does whatever it takes to compound profits-- and, in the name of profit, it will cheat employees out of fair wages, allow work environments to deteriorate, & even compromise civil rights.

Now, even small, family owned businesses are being encouraged to "unionize" under corporate banners. Soon, the entire business sector with be one giant corporation with all the money, resources & power.

[FriedDaisy]

As it is, corporations have more money, resources & power than governments (the only thing stopping them from taking over is a little document called the Constitution which they haven't torn to piece, yet, because their contracts are wrapped up in law derived from it). Iif we don't act, now, to limit corporate power and protect workers from being further exploited we can expect a hostile take over of the government by corporations; and the U.S will become the United Corporate States of fascism.

[mistaspot1]

I donated a little last week. Sorry, we're all poor bastards TRN!

[0xFE]

first in parralell universe

[joshy666]

first