Barack Obama on the Employee Free Choice Act

[TLJAWSIMIB]

ASSASSINATE OBAMA NOW!./

[lima33ful]

That boy is dumber than a box of hammer handles.

[NJECPAC]

non union employees dont get locked out pffft

[lvll138inrs]

labour unions are stagnating the economic developement of america.

[qwertypoiu4321]

Coercive unions are criminal, and people that solicit/aid and abet/initiate them should be charged as such.

Morgan Reynolds, Power and Privilege: Labor Unions in America

misesDOTorgFSresourcesFS4962

[HONEYBCRISSY]

If workers want a union granted they should have one but it should be for the workers who sign-up for it not force ppl to be apart of it... I work in health care.. I enjoy what I do.. If I want a job that pays more then I will go back to school, not demand more money for a job that isn't gererating the money.. hello... Unions are as big as ppl make them.. Thank Goodness for the Beck Objector law and the Deauthorization of the Security Clause... I refuse to pay for something someone else asked 4

[unitedwestand1775]

I  watched your video and I really understand your frustration. If you want to make Bank of America pay for what they did to you, and thousands of others, you should watch this guy's video;

DEADLY BLOW ! TO Bank of America

You should contact this guy, he is really serious.

[awhitsel]

. . . and do what unions do best. And that is take our hard-earned money and use it support candiadtes who are complete assholes and treat their members like crap.

[nickoudumho]

There was a day when unions were good in America. Now days not so much. Obama is a moron.

[ajn43us1]

hey usa is any one out in public having a rally for for right to work it could happen wouldn't suprise me . however i feel the efca is dead in washington dc thanks

[Hoschi0913]

iam not totaly against unions,they are good when employers cut down on safety gear for the workers or try to lower the wages ,just so they have more profit,BUT if a union becomes that powerful that it runs the company and looks only for their own profit instead of the workers wellbeing,then they must be rebuild or destroyed if you will and start over from scratch

[RECOIL64]

I found out some companies want unions because it allows company detailed rules and guidelines that are negotiated with unions. managers are quick study on how to beat union members their stewards and representatives with their own contract. and document employees out of their job's. The poor employee are the losers. The union wins through membership fees and the company win by reduced benefits across the board. i know I went to management to get my benefits back.

[RECOIL64]

I worked with a company where people hated the union we had good benefits great relationship with management. but after a merger company reduced benefits and union reps showed up asking employees to sign a card if they were interested in considering a union only to find out that the card were ballots.

managers took a neutral stand and could say nothing concerning the union. All my peers felt tricked by the union and betrayed by the company.

[kingachybraky]

Free Choice Act does prevent is an employer manipulating the flawed system to influence the election outcome.  When faced with organizing campaigns: 25 percent of employers illegally fire pro-union workers; 51 percent of employers illegally threaten to close down worksites if the union prevails; and, 34 percent of employers coerce workers into opposing the union with bribes and favoritism.

[kingachybraky]

The Employee Free Choice Act does not abolish elections or "secret ballots." Under the proposed legislation, workers get to choose the union formation process—elections or majority sign-up. Under current law, the choice to recognize a union rests only with employers.

[joshua504079]

Look at the poorest states in America now, they are heavily unionized. Look at unemployment in Michigan, highest in America; also the largest union state. Then look at right to work states, they aren't in trouble, and unemployment is low comparitively. Unions are no longer about workers, they are about wealth redistribution.

[Phantom3311]

The poorest states are heavily unionized? NOT TRUE-The right to work states have average wages below the poverty line. And look at my home state of South Carolina- one of the highest unemployment rates in the country. And as far as wealth redistribution-do you even realize that's what we all want. See you want it to be redistributed to a ruling class while the rest of us peasants live to serve and WE want it to be redisributed to a strong and vibrant middle class.

[ehrebene]

FL is just as bad if not worse then Mi. I know I moved from Mi to Fl in hopes of finding a job. Fl in non-union and in just as bad as shape.

[ajn43us1]

@joshua504079  oh no visit or read up on north carolina a -right to work- state unemopoyment is a serious issue . thank you

[DickieTT]

President Obama: fighting to take away the right of a secret ballot. Has SEIU ever mentioned in any of their messages - and this is just one of many - why the secret ballot is a bad idea?

[lordhighexecutioner]

What's the point of a secret ballot when people have said they want to be in a union by signing the cards? The reason for this ballot is so that the bosses can make people "reconsider" by threatening them. It's like having two elections. If election 1 goes the wrong way, lean heavily on the people to vote the right way for election 2.

[ajn43us1]

@lordhighexecutioner also the local clergy can be intemadeted by the company when counting union and non uionn employee votes believe it or not

[HalfLucky]

SEIU.... one of the biggest threats to America today.

[cldump]

this guy is such a commie.

[InterntzTrollerinz]

@cldump Ya how dare he support the right to organize. Where does Obama think he is? America. We don't take that here in Soviet Russia we shoot you if you demand better wage.

[IAMDL725]

Don't confuse Communism and Socialism. They are totally different ideologies.

[MrHelldogger]

Every socialist revolution has used the labor movement to take over & then forsaken them. Perfect example is Russia.

[SEIUlicksballs]

SEIU/ACORN lick balls. A bunch of overpaid fastfood workers.

[iamzbacku]

Sieg Heil! my fuhrer!

He is sending his union goons and thugs to try to scare and threaten us to shut up! He is having his minions spy on us.

We will never give up our American freedoms to such an anti-American.

WE ARE SILENT NO MORE!

They want a fight? Then they will get one!

[Graymalkin2001]

Amazing how liberals try to shove socialist ideas down our throats under the guise of using words like "fairness" and "free choice."

Sugar-coated dictatorship.

[gameshowguy2000]

I have my support for the EFCA..and I'd rather be allowed to join a union rather than harassed for doing such a thing.

[talonmccloud]

Do you now how many charges of labor law violation have been brought against companies in the past 70 some years 42,000 vs 72 for labor unions.

[FAHayek89]

If the majority of workers want a union now, there is nothing stopping them from voting for it in a secret ballot. There is no rational justification for this legislation. The Employee Forced Choice Act takes away the right to keep ones vote private, allowing union goons to intimidate workers into signing on. The right to secret ballot is fundamental to democracy.

Worse, the act forces businesses and unions to accept government arbitration in strikes, whether both want it or not.

[CosgroveAlexander]

Why do union supporters always bring up the "perks" of being an executive? The business executives have every right to do whatever they like with their money as long as it does not infringe on another's right to live.

And President Obama, the majority has no right to vote away the rights of the few. If there is a room full of people and only one has, let's say, jelly beans, the rest of the group cannot morally redistribute that man's possessions, for this constitutes a moral contradiction.

[IWLocal8]

You'd cry a river if any Union official flew in a private jet to DC begging for money from Uncle Sam. Maybe you'll better understand what it means to pay your bills/raise a family when you're in the real world.I'd bet a big sum that you're either still living at home/going to college/both.

[CosgroveAlexander]

Thank you for that ad hominem attack, IWLocal8. Now that we've gotten that squared away, would you please return to my point?

[IWLocal8]

I didn't read any denial Cosgrove. If it's the truth, I was only stating facts. I'm speaking from experience. If you don't have any real life experience in raising a family or paying your own bills it's kind of like trying to go climb a mountain after only reading about it. As far as perks,they seem to outweigh a basic liveable wage that union members get.Health care is not a perk.

[CosgroveAlexander]

My personal details cannot serve as evidence to the issue at debate-namely the EFCA; therefore, my denial or confirmation is irrelevant. And simply by not answering does not imply that your statement is true, or that it is false. It takes a leap of irrational faith to believe either way, with only my silence as an absolute.

[CosgroveAlexander]

Conjecture all you like, but I assure you that my opinions are not based on my personal life (the particulars of which I do not purposelessly divulge, as in this case). My conclusions are based on logic and reasoning applied to objective reality. Since--last I checked--logic and reality are both independent of personal experience, lest I fall into subjectivity (in which case may curses befall me; I deserve would them all), my conclusions will not change.

[CosgroveAlexander]

*would deserve* I apologize.

[IWLocal8]

Realization can only be experienced.

[ajn43us1]

@CosgroveAlexander on your one statement slavery woule still be in force

[americanbart]

Barack Have you ever run a company?

Unions destroys every company like they destroyed GM.

If America wants to be competitive in a global economy it must get rid of Unions and labor regulations

The best solution is to leave labor law to the states. Then we will see whether union help or hurt the economy, But demo(c)rats know their policies are wrong so they want to keep everything on federal level. If policies are set by states then we can simply compare them, what dems afraid of

[IWLocal8]

How long has GM been around? 12% of the US workforce is Union.That tells me that the problem with the US economy isn't Unions.Take a look at what execs get paid, add in the perks (how much does it cost to maintain a private jet?) and tell me where the big expenses are.

[corydonindiana]

Ex uaw ,SEIU now . Unions destroyed Automotive? ?I take it that you buy American products and don't have a foriegn car parked in the driveway. And that you pay a little more for the American Product out of pride for your Country... Look around the house there you will see what destroyed the economy. It usually says" MADE IN CHINA." You cannot blame that one on a political party or a union that just wants to keep it in the US

[Minionuup]

Hussein is paying back the unions who voted him in with our money. Save America. Smash the unions.

[clairebreedlove26]

ObamaObamaObamaObama

[real012]

That is not to say that I am all lovey with companies. They have their ills to be sure but we must be honest here everyone has an angle, the unions is a bigger membership with more power and money, the Presidents is a social agenda that leads to votes and the spreading of wealth (right wrong or indifferent) The Republicans are supported in part by business and the thought that "free enterprise" TRULY free is best for the country, and me ? I like seeing people here all sides . That's Democracy!

[real012]

I was going to post something and still might ,but then I thought ....THIS IS STUPID. President Obama wants unions regardless of work conditions or treatment of workers.If a business is honorable to their workers leave them alone. These days however the union is like a big business that wants to push their way in and impose their standard on even the best operated company if they can by any means.(IE card check) Just one more hand in your pocket. There I went and posted..sorry.

[Ingenue001]

KNEEL BEFORE OBAMA's UNION THUGOCRACY. Our little latin american dictator and the most powerful human being who has ever lived.. The unions are his weapons. The unions are all powerful in this country and "big business" is getting crushed unless they pony up big time to the democrats (like the investment banks and environmental organizations). Unions destroy all they touch, GM, FORD, CHRYSLER. "Union Towns" become ghost towns 20 years later (Philadelphia, Detroit, Pittsburg, Upstate NY).

[IWLocal8]

As Unions comprise %12 of the workforce, it looks like there's 88% of the weaponry being used against Obama.

[carnaco2]

If unions only comprise 12% of the workforce, it's a compelling reason for why they would want to do away with fair elections and force companies to unionize their workforce.

Thankfully, unions are a dying breed. Unreasonable demands made of companies only push the cost of products higher for everyone, including union members.

[IWLocal8]

Look at the economy. Lack of jobs with health care isn't working.

You obviously are a moron - you've been told time and time again that there aren't any fair (or secret) elections currently in place. READ THE EFCA BILL.

[carnaco2]

No wonder people are rushing to get out of union jobs if they don't have fair or secret elections. Who'd want to pay their hard earned money to a union that only seeks to increase its hold on more workers.

Give me right to work states any day. Plus, there are plenty of companies that pay excellent wages and benefits without having to bother with unions.

Based on the news, EFCA should be dead soon.

[carnaco2]

One of Obama's most telling phrases was "This will make it easier for unions to organize".

Obviously, it makes it almost impossible for them NOT to win if you do away with the secret ballot and revert to the card check system.

Unions are petrified of their dismal support. Many unions are rightly the cause of jobs flooding overseas.

It's interesting that even George McGovern, a longtime friend of unions, has expressed reservations about EFCA.

[IWLocal8]

There is no secret ballot in existance. right now. I've made you aware of that. Now you're just lying.

[ddean1987]

long live unions! power to the workers!

don't disappoint obama.

[skreese26]

No thanks, Obama!

Labor is an open market just like the stocks you buy on the NYSE. There's a going rate for skilled and unskilled labor. If you don't like your compensation then look elsewhere or start your own company.

This country was founded with a free market system and unions degrade that. If your job goes overseas, so be it! Go back to school. Become better skilled than those Chinese or Indians who make your cogs or write your code!

[mikeybrumbrum]

He seems good, man.

He gets a big slagging off, but then he encourages unions ?

Thats a GOOD thing !

[sullim04]

The only way this would be an employee free choice is if it was the right to vote by secret ballot. This act will subject employees to intimidation and is a one sided act in favor of unions. Give all sides a fair shake. By taking the right to vote away you are implying that employees do not have the intellect to make the correct choice for their future. . I voted for President Obama with this right and I want the same right to make any other decisions that will have an effect on my future.

[mmikol]

But you are misinformed about the current process for organizing a union. It is exactly because the workers need a "fair shake" at being able to get a union that the EFCA is necessary. The NLRB system is totally broken and needs to be completely revised.

[jdami30739]

Anyone that works for a large corporation and thinks this is a bad thing for THEM INDIVIDUALLY isnt paying attention. Why would the company be so against something like this? Because they would have to pay you better? and maybe someone upstairs wouldnt get thier 100million dollar bonus? Use your head!!!

[DoctorShumacher]

my question is

if this law passes

and the majority of my company wants a union

and they all join it,

Do I HAVE TO join? or can I choose to not join, as my state has "right to work" laws

or will this law strike down "right to work"

[skreese26]

Most southern states are "right to work" and no you don't have to join but you would still get union representation based on collective bargaining but not as an individual. Bascially, the union would not back "you" up if you screwed up on the job.

[DoctorShumacher]

thank you for answering my question

[FluxCapacitor2008]

The top 3% ultra rich Washington power base are trying to divide the work force and the middle class, right to work states and union busters are dragging down wages, benefits abd political power for all the middle class and they are brainwasheing people in to thinking its a good thing. The current Wal-Mart economic model is driving the middle class in to debt, and out of jobs. Yes we need to have reform across the board, and we will not get it if we let the 3% guys divide us.

[gameshowguy2000]

And I wouldn't work for Wal-Mart..not only because it's a Republican company, it doesn't even allow its workers to form unions.

[DoctorShumacher]

but what about the employees who dont want a union? do we have to join?

[crayzal]

no you dont have to. However studies show that you will gain the same benefits. A company that does not want a Union will match Union wages in order keep employees from wanting one.

[prosnobro]

The Obama Deception

Movie

[prkjs08]

Put up or shut up, Mr. President! You've sold out working people so far with your bank bailouts, your continuation of Bush's imperialist wars, and your refusal to seriously consider single-payer healthcare. Let's see if you put your money where your mouth was, or if you continue your predictable collaboration with wall street elites and war hawks.

[kassandrasduplex]

EFCA failed this week Mr. Obama. WHY YOUR SILENCE ABOUT IT???? Specter and Lincoln has pulled their support and you are SILENT!?

[kassandrasduplex]

United We Stand, Divided We Fall. American labor is being pitted against $200 per month Chinese industrial wages, $0.46 cents an hour in Vietnam. IT IS UNIONS THAT HAVE DESTORYED AMERICA. It's industrialists (domestic and foreign) willing to play "beggar they neighbor" for the cheapest throw-away labor they can find. If we are forced to see "free markets" for global capital, why not UNIVERSAL WAGE STANDARDS? Unions can do that, if more people support them.

[kassandrasduplex]

Freudian slip! It is NOT unions that have destroyed America. It is industrialists allowed to exploit the cheapest labor they can find.

[kassandrasduplex]

Candidate Obama was strongly vocal for EFCA. This past week EFCA apparently FAILED and the Obama Administration and th ecorporate media are really SILENT about it. Where is the power of the Bully Pulpit. "I will sign that bill when I become president..."

But he is silent on its failure this week. WHY?!?!

[phildog67]

Ignorance is..using economic class ideology divisiveness& making statements about things with very little knowledge about..The UAW is a tenth the size it was roughly only 20 yrs ago,All 3 Auto Co.hrly in the UAW combined is barely over 150,000. The UAW has been making concessions for yrs.Besides the fact that Toyota in the U.S. hrly makes $3 an hr more than a Ford worker.FORD UAW just voted a mo. ago& passed concessions 2 their standing contract, an annual average pay cut per employee of $6,500

[4u2b1ib12]

The idea of a union is fine. The problem comes after the union is established and will not compromise in the face of an economic downturn; e.g. The current situation with the big-three automobile manufacturers: Chevrolet-Ford-Chrysler. Unions boosted salaries, retirement, and benefits which is very good, in a thriving economy. The economy and production quality have gone down. The unions will not adjust and the companies are asking for bailout or are near bankruptcy. Suggestions?

[OperatorStrikeForce]

What world are you living in?

The UAW offered up and gave up multiple concessions right at the beginning. Additionally, they went above and beyond what they should have and gave up even more.

The same can't be said about the big three as they have had to be basically forced into giving concessions. Why? Because the execs don't want to give up any of their over inflated bonuses, salaries, or perks.

[4u2b1ib12]

You are right! I did write, quality has gone down. The UAW, like many other unions, saw it coming. The executives knew it too. If you see thunderstorms coming your way, do you prepare? Those guys are not dumb nor stupid. They are _________! Please, fill in a proper word to describe their actions.

[OperatorStrikeForce]

The UAW Locals that represent those three only see as much as the companies let them. If a company gives a false appearance by showering their execs with more and more, and then agreeing to contracts that they know can't be covered by their doctored financial reports, that's the companies own fault.

Being an active UAW member, I know first hand it's the employees of that UAW Local who bargain and negotiate the contracts and not some big "Union Boss". So it's easy for a company to lie.

[OperatorStrikeForce]

The reality is that folks keep demanding the workers give up something, while those who should be doing same keep making their pockets even fatter.

[4u2b1ib12]

You know better than I ever will. You, like anyone, owes loyalty to the company and union. I agree and support, that part. The executives see green and want all they can get. They vote themselves for the good work you have done. It is business. Is it wise? They think so. You and your union members are scapegoats. Had they implemented your suggestions and ideas, for improvement and efficiency, all would be better off. It is not that the workers are lazy; they are not supported.

[OperatorStrikeForce]

I agree.

They made decisions in their interests while cutting our pay, jacking up our insurance, and more. Come to find out they had lied the entire time about their profit returns and instead kept rewarding the management at our expense.

Btw, I don't work at any of the big three but I do work in the big truck industry. We only went union because we grew tired of being used and abused.

Everyone deserves a slice of the pie if the company they work for does well, not just the execs.

[safetill12]

Those against the EFCA are just ignorant.  Do your research. Between 30s and the 70s real wages and family incomes rose more than in any other period in American history and productivity increased. Why? Because the Wagner Act (1935) aka. National Labor Relations Act had not yet been fully corroded by neoliberal agenda. so DO YOUR RESEARCH instead of just being greedy fascist capitalists...

[joeschmidt73]

I think we all should have a choice to join a union or not. But no one has a right to have my address, telephone given them by my employer and then use that harass me. By the way I think freedom of choice is so important that my employer should have this as well. He should be able to tell the union to get lost. After all its his company, let him have the right over his own production. If you do not like it quit and start your own company. May be that corrupt union will hire you.

[suckyeagles]

man you really need to stop all the speaches and stop spending all our money,I can't get over all these idiots that voted him in and still think he is doing a good job...WHAT A JOKE

[TheRealCritique]

I wouldnt worry what obama does, you ignorant repubs. He's turning out to be Uncle Obama, protec ting corporate interests and the military. This guy is like Bush II. What a phony baloney. This guy is gonna find himself a laughing stock real quick

[lazoash]

There is nothing Obama can do that will harm the economy more than passing this bill

[MissyFuck]

How would it hurt the economy? All this bill does is allow workers the choice to have a union or not, through either the secret ballot or open vote. No what what your right fucking the majority social class in the U.S. the working class is going to destroy the economy, lets just start calling them slaves while were at it. Seriously read up on your shit before you put the workers down that built your dad's company so he can have his useless yot.

[lazoash]

Its very simple but you have to be educated which I guess you didnt have that opportunity. By setting wages above the free market equilibrium, the emplyees do get higher wages but at the expense of lower overall employment. It is no coincidence that Michigan has the highest unemployment rate in the nation, while factories in the South are thriving.

[hotlunch2000]

He has to support it.... Unions gave over 450 million to his campaign. The auto bailout, it wasn't to keep industry alive, it was a union worker bailout.

You only have to have money to get your politician to do what you want. Obama? Just another big money puppet!

[moonlightmedia]

To all those that say EFCA is a bad bill:

It is obvious that you have never been subjected to being locked down at your place of employment and Indoctrinated by company lies and placed in fear of loosing your job for a pro union stance.

You need to do your homework before judging what corporate america does to workers to further their fight against unions.

Company executives want everything for themselves and they leave the crumbs for the workers that make them so rich.

[hotlunch2000]

It does away with the secret ballot and thus exploits employees who don't sign union cards. Other employees find out that you don't support the union and you hear it all day, they find you outside of work and confront you. I was forced into a union and after the collective bargaining, we got a $.25/hr increase and 2% increases/year when we used to get 3-4%. Our company bonuses went away and now I am stuck paying $50/month of representation to someone I never see. EFCA = not fair!!

[moonlightmedia]

May I ask what state you are living in? I live in Maryland. Maryland is a non right to work state. That means you can be fired at anytime for anything. Maybe you live in a right to work state, which gives you rights we here in the "land of pleasnt living" do not enjoy.

Employee free choice is just that. FREE CHOICE. You do not give up your right to vote if you want to vote. It's up to the employees to vote or not to vote, and not up to a corporate tyrant.

[hotlunch2000]

Sorry for the late reply. Yes California is a right to work state. I am a little bitter about the whole thing, I am sorry if I am abrasive. I just think both sides should be represented and fairly. Unions should have the same employee "contact rules" as employers. I don't like being harassed outside of work. I respect that we could come from different circumstances and different states. Could this be a state matter? The vote can still happen but doesn't that have to be a majority also?

[MissyFuck]

It doesn't give up the secret vote.

[ajn43us1]

@moonlightmedia no more crumbs left here; but keep seeaking god's truth if it was ever toled

[solomonwisearse]

"DOWN WITH THE MIDDLE CLASS". Signed, GOP. We have corporate talking heads like Limbaugh and Hannity that have succeeded in brainwashing the middle class to the point where they are voting against their own interests. Without the democratic party & unions, our country would consist of 1 greedy billionaire to 50,000 poverty stricken slave laborers with nothing in between. THis disparity is the whole reason for our economic problems. Strong middle class = strong econony = Strong Country. Wake UP

[flamin24]

HELL YES President Obama tell it like it is!

[JMartins1981]

Very reasonable criticism:

"It is beyond me how one can possibly claim that a system whereby everyone your employer, your union organizer, and your co-workers knows exactly how you vote on the issue of unionization gives an employee 'free choice' ... It seems pretty clear to me that the only way to ensure that a worker is 'free to choose' is to ensure that there's a private ballot, so that no one knows how you voted."

[DarcPrynce]

The only reason why anyone would want to eradicate secret ballots when voting for anything is to afford them the ability to intimidate others into voting a certain way. That is precisely why we vote in private in this country, and why no one can be compelled to tell anyone how they voted. This is just another fascistic tactic of the far left designed to ELIMINATE freedom of choice. If there's one thing that leftists are good at, it's naming something the exact opposite of what it actually is.

[damon123xxx]

can a white guy say obama is a dumb ass and not be called racist ?

[superjoe6]

I believe in Unions is the only way of a fair salary,sick time,vacation and must important you build on a pension that has nothing to do with the market going up or down, and you don't have the worrys of being taken advantage by the big Bullies meaning MANAGEMENT..

[DarcPrynce]

You are free to believe that if you wish, but what you are not free to do is compel others to think as you do, or adopt policies that you embrace. The only reason for eradicating secret ballots is to open the door to intimidation of people who don't want to unionize by those who do. This act promotes the exact opposite of free choice, and I seriously doubt that the people pushing it in Congress don't know that. This is about as Nazistic as you can get, short of outlawing voting altogether.

[JMartins1981]

Well said, you're exactly right. The name of this act reminds me of the many absurdly named acts by the bureaucrats in Atlas Shrugged.

[DarcPrynce]

It's a standard leftist propaganda technique long embraced by the Democrat party in America.

[democrattotheend]

Awesome, thanks so much for putting these clips all together! It makes my job a lot easier.

[keckie38]

The problem is union corruption which is in full force as much now as 30 years ago.

Please do not put the future of hard working Americans in the hands of dishonest, greedy opportunist union leaders who many, have been handed their jobs in a "family bussiness" fashion and have no knowledge of the working mans (woman's) plight. Please Mr. President look at the big picture.

[jamesb2410]

Line veto card check, pass mandatory arbitration and increased penalties. Those two provisions alone will facilitate good faith bargaining. Card check is unnecessary.

[scottkristle]

With interest arbitration looming only 90 days after a petition, there would be no good faith bargaining. Why would the union concede anything, when they know interest arbitration will show up in 90 days and a federal mediator will determine what a private company's wages, benefits and working conditions are?

[MartyMac61]

This is a bad idea. Have a vote by secret ballot and that will determine whether a union is valid. Just because you sign a card shouldn't determine the validity of a union. There are some good unions and some bad unions. You should have the opportunity to pick your union. Keep corupt unions away.

[BTLInternational]

Well the reason they want to loose the secret ballot is because the process is unfair to workers. to have a secret ballot election you need to get cards signed. after that you file with the NLRB to get a sanctioned election. This process takes months and the employer can drag it out longer. And during this time frame they hire union busters and fire the people for the union and harass employees not to vote yes, so when the time comes for election most of the employees have been fires. C not fair

[SAINThoodSEEKER]

I see. I'm still skeptical though. If the unions really weren't biased with this issue and only were concerned with the time factor, they would find a way to be fair, have secret ballots, and still have workplace democracy. It seems like they are allowing a temporary inconvenience to be an excuse to get the policy they want. Aren't unions used to dealing with inconveniences?

[scottkristle]

93% of all elections have been complete in 59 days. The median average is 39 days. This is not an unreasonable amount of time for both sides to provide facts and allow people to make an educated vote. Why don't union favor the elimination of the secret ballot for decertifications?

[parisrai]

If this is such a good idea Obama, then let fed govt employees unionize. Government employees are banned from having unions, I wonder why? Congress says that it would make it impossible to conduct business in Congress.

[fenian123]

If this is such a good idea Obama, then let fed govt employees unionize.<<<<

They are unionized, through the NTEU,AFGE among others

[parisrai]

Congressional employees are not permitted. Other Fed employees can.

[ANGLEBOOT]

What the Internationals are saying is, "the hell with union quality. They just want more workers in the rank for more dues money.

Anyone can join a union. Just go to your nearest union hall of your trade and join. But go through the apprenticeship program. No matter how long you have worked at your trade. You'll be surprised at how much you really don't know about your trade.

The Internationals are all for the card buyers, just for the amount of memebers.

[ANGLEBOOT]

I am a Union worker and I am totally against the SEIU. And have been every since they stated it.Yes it's a form of socialism. Everyone with one pay, no matter what job it is.

NO CARD BUYERS!!!

Go through the apprenticeship programs or stay out of the unions.

Anyone can join a union. Just quit your job and go join one. I don't believe in forcing companies to go union.

[LoveAmericaStyle]

Google Jeff Fisher World Peace and tell everyone that OBAMA will be pardoned for he is getting blackmailed by Hillary Clinton for his being BiSexual and for being born in Kenya and because he is also a puppet to AIPAC.

[endless74]

Unions and Union members are the biggest buch of slaves the world has ever seen, whats worse is that back in the day you KNEW if you were a slave or not thses people today in unions are clueless. And then there is the drones and wcked out factory oxycontin line worker drug attick pot heads who depend on the union or face losing their jobs for being well, skids who dont deserve the job they have. FUCK YOU UNION MEMBER BITCH fuckin pansy line towing mommys boys. gfys

[cameraperson]

sad. I'm making 3 times as much as I used to because of the power of IATSE. and my working conditions are really great. I love my job and wish no ill will toward my parent company. I wish them well and HOPE they make more money so that I will continue to have a job.

[KendoTheGreenWiza]

I am amazed at how many people have such little knowledge about unions and thier origins. History is guarded and manipulated by the historians of the powerful. You ACTUALLY have to seek the truth to find it.

[CalifSunshine2008]

Unions and Chicago...go together.

[phildog67]

Republican Conservatives that r so anti-Union labor Capitalist Free Marketeers but Love $ storing importing not only all foreign poor quality goods BUT will give away all manufacturing jobs too of all The U.S. goods to any SOCIALIZED COUNTRY to do it cheapest.We Import everything& only export The U.S. dollar destroying the value of it(Just Print More)! "WE THE PEOPLE"..dont even make our own U.S. Flag! Repugniklans & "Country First"! A country that doesnt circulate its own revenue loses it!

[CalifSunshine2008]

We do not have fair trade.

[SSJIndy]

Auto workers are probably the largest union. How's that working out for ya now that you're almost all out of a job permanently? Guess most of you stand a good chance working for McD's before long.

[EddieGR1975]

that argument is weak. Union workers don't get paid $70/hr. that figure includes pensions. the early 90s when pensions were won in contract GM was supposed to invest accordingly. They didn't. Also GM deferred the expense to the costumer or so they said when they raised car prices in the 90s. Labor cost is 15%. If you can't run a company on that you're incompetent.

[lejmb0000]

Employees have the ability to collectively bargain now. This act simply changes the rules to make it easier to undercut corporations because employees have been choosing not to be represented by a unions. The current rules include secret ballots. This new law would intimidate employees into voting for a union. Unions are simply a 3rd party HR dept., and not very good at that.

[CalifSunshine2008]

Unions also donate to polical parties and agendas, regardless of your political views. A lot of people are loosing retirements due to bad investments by unions. Unions typically drive up costs by making other companies pay more for inferior work, cost laden work. Unions were started by the mob.

[BTLInternational]

Okay not only unions make bad investments.

Remember if it wasn't for unions we would not have an 8 hour work day, lunch breaks, rest periods or a decent wage.

Drive up Costs? Yeah the costs are higher because they fight for the worker to have higher wages. How is that a bad thing??

I bet your a republican..

[CalifSunshine2008]

Do you think that companies have unlimited funds? Unions charge fees that employees do not recover. Unions drive up costs that may make a company charge more for a product that we may be purchasing and pay more for in the long run. Employers may be forced to hire less employees because of the high wages. Many companies will go overseas and hire there, and we loose the job market all together.

[BTLInternational]

I'm not saying unlimited but how about that one mortgage company that took a 440,00 retreat to california days after the government spent tax dollars bailing them out.

so maybe not unlimited funds but enough to take away their workers pensions but still having enough money to give themselves million dollar bonuses.

[BTLInternational]

The greed with corporations in this world is sickening. Take this for example. The owners of wal-mart are some of the richest people in the world. And their employees make minimum wage. thats a little under 18,000 dollars a year pre-taxed. Union companies make money and survive all the time, the ones that out source do it so they can make more money by paying some indian guy $3 an hour to answer the phone. Its the companies that make the choice not the Unions representing their workers.

[BTLInternational]

Yes employee's do recover their "fees" by higher wages, rest breaks, lunch breaks. I mean the list goes on with all the benefits. Now obviously there are some bad apples when it comes to unions but with anything there always will be bad apples.

[davidgriffen]

This is good, very good!

[ibilldavis]

what's a neocon?

[Yankhadenough]

ibilldavis The days of GOP/Neocon trolling are gone.

[debb17055]

Amen!

[wayindie]

if laborers want to organize & unionize to better negotiate with large corporations, more power to them!!!

those greedy companies have hurt our economy more by outsourcing labor & buying inferior materials from abroad.

look at what is happening in China. many consumers are now leery of goods from there because they aren't scrutinized enough and are proving to be tainted or poor quality.

you get what you pay for!

[GeneralMotors08]

from UAW Local 599, Flint, Michigan. You have my support.

[1951CAT]

places like wal-mart where telling there people to vote for mccain because of this act thay dont want unions because then thay will have to give real benefits i realy think this is a good act people need a voice in there work place for sure and when you have some one like wal-mart getting out there trying to tell there employees not to vote for obama thats just wrong its time for change now