Republicans Block Labor Bill

[Toro]

Good for the Republicans. I'm not necessarily anti-union, but if a workplace is to unionize, it must do so with a secret ballot.

If a secret ballot is essential to the functioning of a civil democracy, surely it is okay when determining whether or not workers want to join a union.

Senate Republicans on Tuesday rejected a bill to make it easier to form unions, defeating a drive by newly empowered Democrats to shore up a shrinking constituency -- organized labor.

On a vote of 51-48, Democratic backers fell short of the 60 votes needed to clear a procedural hurdle and move toward passing the legislation.

The measure would have enabled employees to create a union simply by obtaining the signatures of most of their fellow workers rather winning a federally supervised election.

Labor, which has seen union membership plunge in recent years, contends the elections are tilted to favor employers and often result in the unlawful firing of organizers and even threats to close plants.

But traditionally pro-business Republicans blocked the bill, arguing it would violate workers' rights and undermine a hallmark of American democracy -- the secret ballot.

"The principle of a secret ballot is deeply rooted in the American tradition, and workers here have enjoyed this freedom at the workplace by law for 60 years," said Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.

"By preserving the secret ballot in union organizing drives, Republicans made sure America's 140 million workers are not intimidated or coerced into siding with either labor or management," McConnell said.

continued...

http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN2636020620070626

 

[red states rule]

Good for the Republicans. I'm not necessarily anti-union, but if a workplace is to unionize, it must do so with a secret ballot.

If a secret ballot is essential to the functioning of a civil democracy, surely it is okay when determining whether or not workers want to join a union.



http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN2636020620070626

I am glad the union thugs will not know if who voted against them.

 

[actsnoblemartin]

I am glad the union thugs will not know if who voted against them.

I agree

 

[red states rule]

I agree

and lower union dues stolen from the workers paychecks is another plus