House Democrats eliminating the secret ballot
By: DARRELL ISSA - commentary | ∞
House Democrats have voted to deny Americans one of our most precious rights ---- the right to a secret ballot election. With Thursday's passage of the misleadingly named "Employee Free Choice Act," workers will no longer be able to vote privately on whether or not they want to be represented by a union.
The secret ballot is at the core of our democracy. Last November, the Democrats gained the majority in Congress in an election conducted by secret ballot, acknowledged as the fairest way to carry out an election. The freedom and right to hold privately a personal belief, opinion or decision is at the heart of what makes this nation great. Taking away this right and stripping workers of their freedom to choose is unfair.
Proponents of the Employee Free Choice Act, including the Communist Party U.S.A., the AFL-CIO and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (the latter two are major donors to the Democratic Party and to Democratic candidates), argue that it will free workers from employer pressure against organizing a union. They say employees are so intimidated by their employers that they are no longer guaranteed the right to organize. This is simply not true. Union membership in California has remained unchanged over the last eight years. With 2.3 million members, California has the highest union membership in the country.
The Employee Free Choice Act actually makes legal the intimidation tactics used by union organizers. By denying workers their right to a private ballot, and instead forcing a system that uses a non-secret "card-check," workers are left exposed and will be easily identified as not supportive of joining a union. Once identified, these workers are often subjected to coercion, threats and bullying. They are terrorized by union organizers and other employees before, during and after work hours, in both work and non-work areas, and even at their homes, until they agree to join the union.
In 2001, Rep. George Miller, D-Martinez, the author of the Employee Free Choice Act and chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor, led 15 Democratic members of Congress in signing a letter urging "the use (of) the secret ballot in all union recognition elections," and stating that "the secret ballot is absolutely necessary in order to ensure that workers are not intimidated into voting for a union they might not otherwise choose," because they were so concerned with protecting workers from intimidation. However, this letter was addressed not to Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, but to Mexican labor officials. The employees they were trying to protect were not American workers, but Mexican. It appears that Chairman Miller is more concerned with protecting the rights of workers in foreign countries than safeguarding the freedoms of American citizens.
Even large labor groups agree that secret ballot elections are essential to worker protection. These groups have made their positions known, as the national president of the Fraternal Order of Police wrote this week in a letter to Speaker Pelosi: "The only way to guarantee worker protection from coercion and intimidation is through the continued use of a federally supervised private ballot election so that personal decisions about whether to join a union remain private."
America's workers are essential to our nation's economic progress and success. They should not be forced to be exposed to intimidation in the workplace, and they deserve the right to take part in a secret ballot election. Big Labor opened their wallets for the Democrats in the last election and it is unfortunate that their reward comes at the expense of the rights of working Americans.
Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Vista, represents the 49th Congressional District, which covers much of North County and Southwest Riverside County, including Oceanside, Vista, Fallbrook and Lake Elsinore.
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Randy wrote on Mar 4, 2007 5:43 AM:The secret ballot is what Republican Congressman Darryl Issa used to fire San Diego U.S. Attorney Carol Lam after she threw Issa's buddy, Republican Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham, in jail for public corruption. Carol Lam, an independent, was among the best U.S. Attorneys in San Diego history. Issa discarded Lam like an old dishrag. Issa, 49th Congressional District representative in name only, effectively represents only corrupt Republican Congressman, including Randy "Duke" Cunningham!
Randy wrote on Mar 4, 2007 5:59 AM:When Republicans controlled the House, Issa didn't bother to write any commentaries. With Democrats controlling the House, Issa has nothing better to do than whine and complain. Why does Issa think that the Republicans no longer control the House? Because Issa and his self-serving cohorts failed to properly govern. Issa was so out of touch with reality that he was working only 3 days a week! The Democrats are making him work 4 days a week, and now all Issa can do is whine and complain. Issa and his cohorts need to form a union to fight to restore the shorter work week! Secret ballot, Darryl?
Randy wrote on Mar 4, 2007 6:08 AM:One of the great travesties of the Republicans under Bush has been the entrenchment of the military-industrial complex. Corporations are awarded contracts by the government for military applications. The award process is corrupted by Republican Congressman like Randy "Duke" Cunningham. Once Cunningham is incarcerated, Republican Congressman Darryl Issa stymies the continuing investigation by ensuring that the prosecuting U.S. Attorney is unceremoniously fired. Military-industrial corporations contribute the big bucks to Issa's political coffers. The biggest losers: Americans and America's world image!
Charles wrote on Mar 4, 2007 6:58 AM:Issa doesnt know what he's talking about. There is no Union out there that is terrorizing any potential members. Lies and the lying liers that tell them.
Randy wrote on Mar 4, 2007 8:12 AM:Issa's complicity in the firing of U.S. Attorney Carol Lam, Republican Representative Randy "Duke" Cunningham's successful prosecutor, qualifies as obstruction of justice. Issa's action disqualifies his union-busting rantings and ravings from serious consideration in the marketplace of ideas.
Randy wrote on Mar 4, 2007 8:16 AM:"Taking away this right and stripping workers of their freedom to choose is unfair." Issa ensured that the best U.S. Attorney San Diego has ever had was unceremoniously fired because she dared to successfully prosecute Republican Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham for public corruption. Now you lecture us on what is fair? How dare you!
John wrote on Mar 4, 2007 11:12 AM:Homework time NCT. How many car alarms did Darrell Issa manufacture at his business in Vista. How many of car alarm manufacturing jobs did Darrell Issa outsource to Taiwan or other countries? What part did Darrell play in lobbying congress to pass NAFTA? I'm not sure Issa represents the intertests of American workers and his constituents as well as he represents his big business cronies and the wealthy elite.
Cal wrote on Mar 4, 2007 11:30 AM:In today's opinion section we have Darrell Issa whining about union rights while Iraq burns. Darrell is chasing big labor boogie-men and soldiers are dying for a failed foreign policy. Soldiers that have lost limbs and suffered grievous injuries are forced to accept substandard medical care and our congressman is busy writing anti-union diatribes in our local paper. Is he trying to change the subject or is he just chasing donkeys. He sure as heck is NOT out in front on this issue. At least he's not talking about Anna Nicole's burial - but when pray tell, will he start paying attention to the crisis in Iraq and start taking care of our soldiers medical and finacial needs? After all, there is more to supporting the troops than passing out medals. Congressman - we are waiting. We are expecting more form you. Do some heavy lifting.
Commies??? wrote on Mar 4, 2007 11:53 AM:OOOOOH! The commies are gonna get us!! Who cares about the communist party? One look at Vietnam and China and you know communism is toast. It's like an old brand that was bought out in a merger during the 80's and allowed to retire. Please Darrell, don't taunt us with the commies are coming propaganda. It's so passe. Stick with the war on terror. It's more your style.
Paul wrote on Mar 4, 2007 12:06 PM:Not one of the comments so far has addressed the merits of the secret ballot in union representation, other than to categorically deny that there is or has been union coercion. How about some evidence? I'll start. Absolutely every contact I've had with unions in 60 years has involved theats and coercion by the unions. Every union job I have had was worse than non-union. There is no question in my mind that, if my vote was not anonymous, I would suffer retaliation by one side or the other. The fact that it is the unions that are pushing for non-secret ballot tells me that the unions expect to be more effective than employers in threatening voters.
Randy wrote on Mar 4, 2007 1:57 PM:Paul, you should have written a commentary instead of Republican Congressman Darryl Issa. At least you would be less biased!
J2Paul wrote on Mar 4, 2007 4:27 PM:I am not union - have never been. I am happily self employed. If a secret ballot is the right of union workers, the courts will rule as such when it works it's way through the system and Democrats will end up with egg on their face. That's how the American system works. Ain't it grand? Unions aren't perfect. However they clearly respresent workers interests more effectively than the rich and powerful corporate elite. I believe Issa is part and parcel with the later. I also believe Issa has misplaced his priorities because he is waisting his efforts chasing union organizers and not tackling tough issues like immigration, veteran's health care and supporting our injured troops. I'm not a union fan -but let's admit it. They have made life better for almost all working Americans. I'm not sure I can say that about Issa.
Snake eyes wrote on Mar 4, 2007 4:30 PM:Good old Darrell Issa. Putting the "Con" back in congress. Looks like Paul has fallen for it.
Rob wrote on Mar 5, 2007 8:27 AM:What is wrong with the entire idea of the Employee Free Trade Act is that democrats argue it will bring back the middle class and that is why it is essential, well let me tell you something, that is false and misleading. I live in Detroit where unions are the norm and our state's economy is falling. Workers have no individual rights and union contracts have crippled many of the companies chance to be competitive. What this act will do is take all of that money that unions like the SEIU and UFCW are using on organizing and force thier product on the American public. If you are an employee in a non-right to work state like Michigan or California then you are held hostage. Is holding certain employees and employers hostage trully America? Not in this global economy.
Tis is why this Vistan voted wrote on Mar 10, 2007 3:05 PM:Darrell into Office. Thanks for representing us properly, Darrell!
Long-time DEI Employee wrote on Mar 14, 2007 9:13 PM:Darrell Issa fought the Union when he was owner of Directed Electronics. He very, VERY grudgingly accepted a little Union help at the Las Vegas CES shows where Directed Electronics had a yearly booth. So beware when he purports to be sticking up for labor. What you see here is classic Issa partisanship.
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