2009 Archives
Harrisburg Regional Chamber Board Passes Position Statement Opposing Card Check (EFCA)
HARRISBURG REGIONAL CHAMBER BOARD PASSES POSITION STATEMENT OPPOSING CARD CHECK (EFCA)
HARRISBURG (February 20, 2009) - The Board of Directors of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber, on a unanimous recommendation from the Chamber's Government Relations Committee, passed a position statement opposing the impending Card Check legislation. Pennsylvania is a key battleground state for this legislation-Senator Arlen Specter could be the defining vote on the passage of this legislation in the Senate.
The Employee Free Choice Act, better known as Card Check, has the potential to significantly change the workforce landscape across the country. Card Check would essentially eliminate private ballot elections for unionization and replace it with signature cards. Employees would be asked to sign the signature cards at any time through any means until more than 50% of employee signature cards are signed. Once this threshold is met, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) would have to certify the union and an employer must start collective bargaining within 10 days. Binding government arbitration is imposed after a 120 day impasse if no contract is reached by both sides. Lastly, Card Check imposes penalties, of up to $20,000, for only employers who violate union organizing laws.
The current process allows for the NLRB to conduct elections to assure neither the employer or organized labor can unduly pressure workers to vote one way or the other.
Chamber & CREDC President David Black said, "Typically, slightly over 50% of these elections result in unions. Our fear and the fear of businesses and workers is a lack of balance in the Card Check process tipping the process heavily in favor of organized labor. This is also a concern for smaller businesses that have not traditionally been a target for union organizing efforts by creating a relatively simple process without checks and balances. Also of concern is the amount of time and the potential divisiveness of this issue in Congress at a time in our country's history when we need cooperation to address the large economic challenges."
To make your voice heard, please contact your Congressman and US Senators today:
Senator Arlen Specter
Senator Robert Casey, Jr.
Congressman Tim Holden-17th District
Congressman Todd Platts-19th District
Congressman Bill Shuster-9th District
The Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC serves as a catalyst for promoting growth and quality of life in Cumberland, Dauphin and Perry Counties by providing a unique blend of business, community and economic development and advocacy services under one roof to boost our economic vitality and livability as a region. HRC/CREDC has been accredited with four stars from the United States Chamber of Commerce.
POSITION STATEMENT
Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA)
Background:The Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), also known as Card Check, would dramatically change unionizing practices for businesses across the United States. The purpose of Card Check is to make it easier for unions to organize by eliminating the need for secret ballot election and replacing it with employee signed authorization cards.
Currently union organization elections are run by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Coercion of workers eligible to vote by either the employer or union is prohibited. NLRB sets up voting using secret ballots and conducts the election.
Under the Card Check bill, once more than 50% of employee signatures are collected, the union is recognized as a bargaining unit and the employer must start collective bargaining with the newly formed union within 10 days. There is no time limitation and union organizers can collect signatures from employees anywhere at any time. Check Card eliminates secret ballot for employees and removes NLRB from the process.
It also provides that once a union is formed, if no contract is reached by both sides within the designated time period, a federal arbitration panel creates a contract that is binding on both sides for two years. Under Card Check legislation, penalties are only imposed on employers who violate union organizing laws of up to $20,000 per violation.
Reasons to Oppose:
- Card Check would eliminate secret ballot election by employees increasing the chance of coercive methods to be used to acquire employee compliance by union organizers.
- Card Check greatly simplifies the process for unions to be formed without a process and without involvement of the employer or the NLRB.
- The legislation amends the collective bargaining law so that it imposes binding government arbitration after a 120 day impasse.
- Card Check imposes increased penalties for only employers who violate union organizing laws.
- Small Businesses could be greatly affected by the legislation and face unprecedented union organization efforts and unanticipated expenses.
- The current economic climate cannot afford further discouragement of investment or job creation that may arise from the division created among workers, unions and employees from the passage of this legislation.
Summary:
Date: February 5, 2009
Chamber Position: OPPOSE
Committee: Government Relations
Harrisburg Regional Chamber Board of Directors: February 11, 2009
Unanimous on a voice vote
