A mere 7.4% of private-sector workers are union members. Fifty years ago, the figure was about 35%.

Unions are desperate to increase membership. Their goal is to increase membership by allowing workers to unionize by checking a space on a card. If 50% of workers check the “yes” space, a union comes into existence.

Under current law, there must be a secret ballot election for workers to unionize. A “card check” system is not allowed.

The card check system is open to abuse. For example, suppose a worker is taking his ballot to his workplace, and four big, pro-union fellows who look like ex-football players want to see his ballot. If the worker has checked the “wrong” space, what will these big fellows do to the worker? Slash his tires, beat him up, kill him. Who knows?

Congressmen George Miller (D-Martinez) is the sponsor of the federal Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), the legislation that will eliminate the secret ballot in union elections. EFCA has passed the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill has not, because of Republican opposition, passed the Senate.

Interestingly, former U.S, Senator George McGovern (D-South Dakota) is oppoosed to EFCA. Writing an Op-Ed piece in The Wall Street Journal on August 8, 2008, McGovern said: “Under EFCA, workers could lose their freedom to express their will in private, the right to make a decision without anyone peering over their shoulder, free from fear of reprisal.”

McGovern was the Democratic Party’s candidate for President in 1972.

In California, the State Legislature passed a card check plan. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed the bill in 2008.

If workers want to unionize, let them do so by using a secret ballot.

There is enough intimidation in politics. We do not need any more.

Richard S. Colman
Orinda, CA
Jan. 7, 2009