Print
E-mail
Area Democrats Solidly Behind 'Card Check'
 |
| U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Pa., left, and President Barack Obama, seen speaking about the war in Iraq last year. (Kevin Dietsch/UPI) |
By Bradley Vasoli, The Bulletin
Area Democrats in Congress, including moderate “Blue Dog” U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-8th, of Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, all support legislation that would eliminate secret-ballot elections for many workforces considering unionization.
Every Democratic member of the House of Representatives in the Philadelphia area, as well as U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, support the legislation, known as the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) or “card-check.” If passed, the bill will replace many secret-ballot votes to decide whether to unionize with a process wherein labor organizers approach employees directly asking them to sign cards indicating they support joining a union.
The only two Pennsylvania Republican congressmen with districts near Philadelphia, Jim Gerlach, 6th, of Berks, Chester, Lehigh and Montgomery counties; and Charlie Dent, 15th, of Lehigh, Northampton and Montgomery counties, oppose EFCA.
Mr. Casey said the legislation would make a welcome change to current labor policy because card-check would expedite the unionization process. He also said the potential for secret-ballot elections would still exist after EFCA, even if they become less common.
“A secret ballot would still be available,” he said. “If workers prefer to use majority sign up, they could do that as well.”
Critics of the proposed law believe it will lead many workers to sign cards under pressure from those involved in organizing campaigns. They also object to a provision in the act that would require binding arbitration if employees cannot agree to a contract with management within 120 days of affiliating with their union.
The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) has lately focused on Mr. Murphy, since he belongs to the “Blue Dog Coalition,” a group of House Democrats who consider themselves more moderate than party leaders on economics. Some members of the “Blue Dogs” have suggested they might not support card check the next time it comes up for a vote.
“By co-sponsoring card check, Patrick Murphy has demonstrated his willingness to pay back union bosses at the expense of Pennsylvania workers and their fundamental rights to a secret ballot,” NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain said in a statement. “Despite all of his rhetoric about wanting to create jobs for middle-class Americans, Murphy is supporting this job-killing bill that threatens to make the workplace a site for corruption and coercion. Now, with unemployment continuing to climb, it’s time for Murphy to explain why he has embraced the needs of the special interests that filled his campaign coffers at the expense of his own constituents.”
Mr. Spain pointed to $457,350 in organized-labor contributions to Mr. Murphy’s campaign effort, suggesting the congressman’s co-sponsorship of EFCA is “payback” for the help they’ve given him.
Mr. Murphy’s district is mixed in terms of unions’ political clout. Pro-labor officials dominate northeast Philadelphia and lower Bucks County but right-to-work supporters often get elected in central and upper Bucks.
Bradley Vasoli can be reached at bvasoli@thebulletin.us
Every Democratic member of the House of Representatives in the Philadelphia area, as well as U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, support the legislation, known as the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) or “card-check.” If passed, the bill will replace many secret-ballot votes to decide whether to unionize with a process wherein labor organizers approach employees directly asking them to sign cards indicating they support joining a union.
The only two Pennsylvania Republican congressmen with districts near Philadelphia, Jim Gerlach, 6th, of Berks, Chester, Lehigh and Montgomery counties; and Charlie Dent, 15th, of Lehigh, Northampton and Montgomery counties, oppose EFCA.
Mr. Casey said the legislation would make a welcome change to current labor policy because card-check would expedite the unionization process. He also said the potential for secret-ballot elections would still exist after EFCA, even if they become less common.
“A secret ballot would still be available,” he said. “If workers prefer to use majority sign up, they could do that as well.”
Critics of the proposed law believe it will lead many workers to sign cards under pressure from those involved in organizing campaigns. They also object to a provision in the act that would require binding arbitration if employees cannot agree to a contract with management within 120 days of affiliating with their union.
The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) has lately focused on Mr. Murphy, since he belongs to the “Blue Dog Coalition,” a group of House Democrats who consider themselves more moderate than party leaders on economics. Some members of the “Blue Dogs” have suggested they might not support card check the next time it comes up for a vote.
“By co-sponsoring card check, Patrick Murphy has demonstrated his willingness to pay back union bosses at the expense of Pennsylvania workers and their fundamental rights to a secret ballot,” NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain said in a statement. “Despite all of his rhetoric about wanting to create jobs for middle-class Americans, Murphy is supporting this job-killing bill that threatens to make the workplace a site for corruption and coercion. Now, with unemployment continuing to climb, it’s time for Murphy to explain why he has embraced the needs of the special interests that filled his campaign coffers at the expense of his own constituents.”
Mr. Spain pointed to $457,350 in organized-labor contributions to Mr. Murphy’s campaign effort, suggesting the congressman’s co-sponsorship of EFCA is “payback” for the help they’ve given him.
Mr. Murphy’s district is mixed in terms of unions’ political clout. Pro-labor officials dominate northeast Philadelphia and lower Bucks County but right-to-work supporters often get elected in central and upper Bucks.
Bradley Vasoli can be reached at bvasoli@thebulletin.us
 |
 |
|
| PA House Committee Passes Sexual Orientation Bill | DeJohn, Temple Back In Court Over Fees |
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of thebulletin.us.
You must register with a valid email to post comments. Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here: |
Become a Registered User |
