Thursday, January 8, 2009

NEW ERA

The editorial on Jan. 5 states: "The Employee Free Choice Act would allow employees to indicate their desire for a union simply by signing authorization cards." (Currently, collecting cards from a majority of employees triggers a period of discussion followed by a secret ballot.)

WATCHDOG: We agree. When approached by two or three co-workers, the typical worker is likely to sign a card without being well informed and considering the full consequences. That's not the the way for such an important change to be brought about.

The problem today isn't the law, it is its lax enforcement that has permitted employers get around good faith electioneering and, if they lose, good faith contract negotiations. The new administration can put an end to such abuses.