Online videos: Anti-EFCA group confronts Mainers

It is a matter of basic rights, whether you vote for a labor boss, or to unionize your workplace it should be done fairly and without interference from anybody else while you are voting.

With EFCA, you take the private ballot away from the worker...the same private ballot that has elected our leaders since our republic was formed. For Chellie Pingree, who once lead common cause, an organization fighting for civil liberties and fighting for fair and democratic elections, it is mind blowing that she would be coming out in favor of such an unfair, and potentially dangerous law.

Chellie Pingree has clearly lost touch with basic American principles, and until Charlie Summers steps up and starts to expose her for what she really is (which truly isn't a whole lot) it makes me extremely scared that she will represent half of my state in Washington. Someone who is willing to break ranks with their own conscience is not someone I want to be making my laws.

Carol Andrews should really work on getting Tom Allen a message that works, instead of patting him on the behind and saying "great work Tommy, here's your bone for the day"

The messaging for his campaign has been terrible, his constant flow of blunders has been amusing at least, and he continues to choose losing issues to champion.

And by the way, criticizing Susan Collins for not wanting to attend a Town Hall meeting with Tom Allen, well that doesn't really work for me. I wouldn't want to sit in a room with Tom Allen, I'd walk out of there less intelligent than when I walked in. What are they doing to this poor man's campaign? They are making him look like a complete fool.

... who are being "truhty" about this issue! The article itself says:

"because it takes away the private ballot process in unions. "

... which is a flat out lie.

It ADDS an alternative method in ADDITION to private ballot decisions, if that is what people prefer.

You would think that some very basic fact checking would take place before articles get published.

I am so glad that unions will give the "option" of a private ballot to it's workers.

I'll tell you what, I'll give you the "option" of voting for Tom Allen - which you obviously are going to do, which I find mind-boggling in the first place- and I'll have your boss (if you work) hover over your shoulder telling you that if you vote for Tom Allen instead of Susan Collins you will all of a sudden start working the third shift.

How great is that option? Why don't we have the union boss come to the polling place with all of your personal information letting you know just who is in charge, and it isn't you.

It may be complicated as an issue, because it was made complicated purposely so that the real facts get lost in talking points - which you seem to yourselves got lost in.

portlandobsvr:

In fact, card check was ruled constitutional in 1969. The EFCA doesn't add any new way for employees to form a union, but what it does do is removes an impediment that employERs now have a right to use.

Currently, employERs can demand a secret ballot vote if card check is used to form a union. The EFCA removes that right, and then adds that employEEs who do NOT want to form a union can collect signatures of just 30% of their mates to force a secret ballot vote.

If you still think the EFCA is anti-union, then check out who is funding these groups opposing it; begin with Richard Berman.

the Employee "Free Choice" Act is very simple: it takes away 70 years of standards for privacy and democracy when voting to form a union. What the EFCA law will do is instead of having a private vote it will allow the union bosses to coerce workers into something they may not feel comfortable doing.

Politicians want to be elected by a secret ballot and are always bringing up democracy but when it's it comes to unions they rather accept campaign donations from the AFL-CIO than do what is right for their constituents.

Wal-Mart employees do not NEED a UNION (I know how to use caps lock too) They have arguably the best benefits package of any retailer in history.

You are not talking about big-bad corporations, you are talking about small business owners who will be forced out of business because they can't afford what the little unions (like the AFL-CIO...or it's multiple components) strong arm them into paying.

So, I work for a small family landscaping company. Which labor group do you work for "Anonymous"? Because the only people who would support EFCA are the little minions of the white-collars in labor union offices who don't care one bit about what the real blue collar workers are getting paid as long as they can keep their executive pay and influence in the capitals of our country.

Employee Free Choice? They are making it theoretically easier for employees to force a secret ballot...but how much pressure will be placed on all of the employEEs to not sign that petition to force a secret ballot. And if you think there won't be that much pressure placed on workers who are against unionizing...you have your head deep in the sand.

According to an Employee Freedom Action Committee survey 92% of Maine respondents believe that employees should have the right to vote on forming a union by an election where each individual’s vote is kept private (http://laborpains.org/?p=837).

The people of Maine are right on this issue. It is time the out of touch politicians wake up and stop putting the union bosses over the workers they represent.

Do you really believe that union membership is down so much because of the part where people get to vote in private?

I'm sorry you don;t like Mr. Berman--or whoever is funding him. I don;t like George Soros who is anti-american and funds the left. I don;t like move-on.org that spent millions of dollars attacking COllins last summer. I don't like the unions in Maine that used taxpayer dollars to fight TABOR.

I don't like the endless front groups spending billions on TV ads pretending Americans want government run health care.

But at the end of the day - the fact that one group thinks that having a vote should be optional in America is even worse.

OK--I get that you want to change the subject and talk about the evil corporatist doing all that corporating, but you have to be kidding.

Right now--you sign cards --you get 50% of the cards signed--you have a vote. the vote is run by the feds and you get to decide all by yourself--in a voting booth --if you really think it is a good idea. Sounds good to me.

EFCA MAKES PRIVATE VOTING OPTIONAL. Stop avoiding that fact. Once people understand that --they think it is a bad idea.

The last I checked we were a free market economy driven by capitalism. Instead of worrying about that extra $.25 per hour you may get by unionizing why don't you throw away your Nike shoes, or most of your clothing because they were made by indentured servants, and child laborers in sweat shops making less than what you make inhaling and exhaling once on the job site.

Cry me a river Anonymous1, you are having a hard time coming to grips with reality. It's not about big corporations, it's not about the Wal-Marts (one of the nations largest employers), it's not about the mean capitalists like Gates. What this issue boils down to is the fact that Unions want to limit the obstacles to forcing laborers to organize and hand over even more of their paychecks to the Union machines.

You are missing the point, when private ballots are an option instead of the only option, it is not a truly democratic process. No matter what you say to try to pin the majority of Mainers against you down, you are going to end up on the wrong side of this issue.

I'd just like to point out Aisle 12's comment, which is one of the funniest I've ever read on this site:

Wal-Mart employees do not NEED a UNION (I know how to use caps lock too) They have arguably the best benefits package of any retailer in history.

Wow. Just.... Wow.

portlandobsvr:

You obviously do not know what changes the EFCA would bring.

As I wrote, currently it is the employER that has a right to demand a secret ballot vote, not employEEs. Card check is just one of three ways that a union can be formed that must be recognized by management (a secret ballot and a successful strike are the two others). When 50% plus one union cards are signed, a vote is NOT automatic as you write.

The EFCA would take away the right of an employER to demand a vote, and instead allow employEEs who gather signaures of just 30% of their workmates to demand a secret ballot vote. These signatures would, at the same time, invalidate a union card signed by an employee.

The opposition to the EFCA is from businesses, because it makes it easier for a union to be formed. Of course Mainers think that a secret ballot vote is a good thing - but as I've made clear, it will be employEEs who will be able to force such a vote under EFCA.

Gerald -

Gee thanks. So--since the EMPLOYERS actually provide the jobs--I guess it makes sense that they get to play no role--just do what the union bosses want.

Your double speak is silly--you have grown accustomed to swimming in your own bath water and think your declarations make it so.

Let's review the law as it stands - -

Step 1. The good folks toiling in the fields decide they want union representation.

Step 2. They go around and ask folks to sign a card and then collect the cards.

Step 3. The employer looks at the cards and says--geez - I guess they can have a union OR the employer can say--ok--let's see if that's true --we will have a vote--run by the feds.

The system now--gives both parties rights and responsibilities. EFCA shifts the balance of power to the advantage of one over the other.

It is a radical departure from the current system. It strips a fundamental right of a private ballot, to one that is optional at the discretion of only one party. The shift in the balance of power with EFCA will be a disaster for the economy.

The people of Maine, and the people of every state that this sham, misnamed Employee Freedom Action Committee is targeting should read this discussion. Their argument has been broken down:

1) EFCA is bad; it takes away employees right for a secret ballot.

2) Ok, it doesn't *really* take away a secret ballot, but workers don't need unions anyway, because corporations, like Wal-Mart, treat their workers so well.

3) Unions are out-dated and unnecessary, so there's no reason to pass this law.

4) Union bosses are the problem, because all they want is your money.

5) You need to feel sorry for corporations because they are going bankrupt because of unions.

Honestly folks, you are flailing here. The unprecedented rights workers will receive with this legislation is scaring big business because workers will not be allowed to be pushed around anymore.

I will say this- I have been a Maine citizen my whole life. I do not work for a union, nor am I member of a union, however I wouldn't mind being part of one. I grew up in a union household, and most of my family continues to be part of a union. My family, the union members, fully support paying their fair share to a union to gain the needed collective bargaining against what can be a sometimes tyrannical workplace. They are not anti-corporate, but they are pro-worker. I personally have no vested interest in this argument except to expose the falsehoods and bias in your statements.

I figure "big labor" doesn't have the time to troll through little-read comment postings on this site.

I don't need a union. I don't need to vote for one. I'm not against one or for one. I'm not intimidated by any "union thug boss". I don't care about "big business" or "small business". I'm my own person, and if I don't like working for you, I quit. If I don't like the conditions, I quit. I've always had a job, and I always will, 'cause I work, and I work damn hard. And big business, or small, you will always need me. If I work for you and you get out of line, I poke you in the nose, then quit. You don't own me. If I want to vote secretly or publicly, I will do so. What is everyone so afaid of? Remember. We have the 2nd amendment if things go too far. In the words of your beloved bush, " bring it on"!