NorthWest Florida Republican

I asked Congressman Boyd about his vote on the Employee Free Choice Act not long ago. He finally took some time to send me a reply on this issue.

As you may know, Congress has passed H.R. 800, the Employee Free Choice Act. This bill will maintain the current secret ballot system for employees to vote on whether or not they want to unionize, but also adds another option for employees. The new option is to allow for an open vote. Employees can use this option to sign cards that state their wishes and now only 50% of them are needed to require action by the National Labor Relations Board. I voted in favor of this bill because I know that the current system is often to lengthy and difficult for employees to organize.

Yes, the option to vote is still in the bill. However, what will happen is that unions will be formed without a vote. No longer will unions be forced into a secret ballot where employees may not be harassed for their views of the unions. All they need to do now is gather enough signed cards. Cards that they know who signed and who hasn’t. And if you have any doubts as to what they do with those who they know aren’t union supporters take some time to read about the Union boss and look at the post board where there is a list of supporters and non-supporters.

A few of my fellow workers who support the union praise the bill. They claim that the companies can no longer harass the employees with an open ballot. Honestly, I think they should be even more worried with an open ballot if they are worried about the Employers.

Maybe they don’t realize that harassment during the times of voting is against the law for employers. The unions don’t have that problem.

Since this has already passed the House and is supposed to be brought up in the Senate, perhaps now would be a good time to bring up your displeasure with the entire idea of an “open vote” for unions.

Protect the privacy of the individual employees by calling Senator Bill Nelson (D) and Senator Mel Martinez (R) and letting them know that this isn’t free choice. Free choice is the same thing that you do every four years on November 4th. Vote with a Secret Ballot.

I don’t mind a lengthy process as long as my rights are protected.