Comments on: EFCA: Counting the votes

By: Ralph

Ralph — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 02:57:00 +0000

DAR,
Union membership is declining in most industries, and in general, union pensions are underfunded by billions of dollars. The card check provision in EFCA would eliminate or streamline steps which are currently required before workers can enter into a collective bargaining agreement. I believe that under this new provisions of EFCA, the decline of union membership would slow and you may even see unions make a comeback in this country. The rise of union membership will lead to an increase in dues which could provide funding for the currently underfunded pensions.
I believe this is the union’s last stand. If the card check provision doesn’t get included in the version of EFCA that finally passes, I believe the unions will go the way of the dinosaur. Unions spent a heck of a lot of money to get Obabma and the Democrats elected. I like to think they went “all in” for this vote. Should be interesting to see how the hand plays out.

By: DAR

DAR — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 23:00:51 +0000

I’m new to all this - just doing some research and stumbled across this blog - but I can’t grasp why so many people think pushing this bill and emphasizing Unions is such a great idea. It sounds more like the death of Capitalism to me. I’ve worked the same blue-collar job for almost 25 years and can’t envision anything coming out of this except companies like mine going bankrupt in the process. Any insight from EFCA supports would be much appreciated.

By: Ron

Ron — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 21:31:05 +0000

Specter is now against closure in EFCA, yet he was for it 2 years ago. What changed? How about introducing a bill you know you don’t have the votes for in EFCA and leaving those supporters to be subjected to harsh treatment without a net because there is no point in time when this thing gets voted on.

The Dems are incompetent. The Unions spent 500 Million dollars for this? I want my money back!

By: Ron

Ron — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 13:14:07 +0000

Nobody has really eaplained to me WHY introduce a bill that until Frankin is seated, does NOT have 60 votes to pass? It is STUPID to introduce legislation, place your supporters under the gun, and just leave them hanging out there with no ability to move the legislation off the front burner. If this bill hangs arond till Summer, it will never pass. All Obama can do is offer to any Senator who votes for this bill and is defeated a place in his Aministration or an Ambassador position someplace nice. I don’t think that is enough.

Finally, has anyone considered the legality of forcing private companies into binding arbitration? That portion of the bill almost assures a US Supreme Court decision that the law is an unconstitutional “taking” and it throws the whole thing out. Eliminate that provision and maybe the fence setters will go for the law and if it is going to pass, then either get it done ASAP or pull it and recognize that the Dems leaders are incompetent.

By: Tom

Tom — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 15:42:23 +0000

Rob - a lot of the people Senator Kohl and others represent support this and as importantly most of the people who voted for them do. It is a democracy and you Chamber of Commerce/Country club types can`t have everything you want.

By: Rob

Rob — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 13:39:58 +0000

Just spoke with a rep for Senator Kohl (WI) yesterday. While she wouldn’t say which way he would vote, she said he pulled his name from co-sponsorship. She was not sure why, but I’m hoping it is because he realizes that most of the people he represents realize that EFCA, which will undoubtedly cause more companies to become unionized, is no well-received by the people he represents. Wish other Senators would understand this too. Now we’ll see if Kohl is tough enough to stand up against his party.

By: Remi

Remi — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 08:56:54 +0000

I agree with this. These aren’t votes on the substance of the bill. I think getting 60 votes on the procedural aspects of it is certainly there.

By: otherwise

otherwise — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 06:11:32 +0000

Murkowski?

By: Ryan

Ryan — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 04:59:55 +0000

Why should Labor drop the card check provision? Why would they continue to allow their employers dictate the way workers choose whether to join a union?

The only way I could support dropping card check is if the elections truly were free and fair. As it stands right now, they’re not. Not by a long shot.

By: Taniel

Taniel — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 01:11:53 +0000

Panos and Ron,

I don’t think anyone expects a vote to be called before Franken gets in the Senate. It’s not like this debate will occur next week; it is expected to consume us over the next few months, and no one is suggesting Reid will call a vote before ensuring that he gets that extra MN vote.