LINCOLN CHAMBER OPPOSES EMPLOYEE FREE CHOICE ACT

By Jon Mayhew

The Lincolnton/Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce board of directors voted Tuesday to oppose a piece of legislation that would prevent employees from voting secretly whether or not to unionize.

The legislation -- Employee Free Choice Act – is scheduled to be introduced into the U.S. Congress soon.

"The Chamber's Board of Directors voted to oppose this legislation in order to support Lincoln County's local industries and to maintain economic vitality in our county," said chamber president Ken Kindley. “The Chamber, as a follow up to the vote, will send letters stating its position on the matter to United States Senators Kay Hagan and Richard Burr and United States Congressman Patrick McHenry.”

The following is the letter:

I am writing to urge you to strongly oppose the so-called Employee Free Choice Act. This legislation, better known as Card Check, would deprive workers of the ability to vote in a secret ballot election during union organizing drives.

As an elected official, you know the importance of ensuring that citizens are free to express their views in the privacy of the voting booth - without someone looking over their shoulder. Why would anyone want to deny workers this fundamental principle of American democracy?

During Card Check organizing drives, workers would have to publicly declare their support or opposition to union representation, exposing them to intimidation, harassment and coercion.

During hearings in 2007, Members of Congress heard how union organizers routinely pressure workers in cases where Card Check is allowed under current law. Why would anyone want to subject millions more workers in this treatment?

Just as bad, the Card Check bill includes a "binding arbitration" provision that would let the federal government dictate wages and benefits under a union contract, and then deprive workers of the chance to vote on that contract.

This expansion of government power is almost like reestablishing wage and price controls in our economy, and could put many employers out of business.

Card Check is the top priority of labor unions because they know it will enable them to rapidly organize large segments of the economy - including small, family-owned businesses.

But it will also deny workers the sacred American right to cast a secret ballot. Your constituents need to know that you will stand with us and protect our rights.