Saving the Secret Ballot

Saving the Secret Ballot

Saving the Secret Ballot. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Fruit Grower Report.

The question has been raised as to whether unionized labor is in trouble. It does seem that some of the most heavily unionized shops like the big 3 automakers are in the deepest of trouble. Studies show that while unionization can raise worker productivity, it typically raises wages and benefits even faster. Restrictive workplace rules, gold-plated health and pension plans, and inflexible hiring and firing rules add to the burden on employers, and cut into employer profitability. And in its purest form it can take away certain liberties like being able to vote as you wish. Congress is stepping up to the plate to endorse the Secret Ballot Protection Act.

HASTINGS: I have co-sponsored a bill to ensure that those that want to join a union do it through a secret ballot process. The so-called card check program is just the opposite of that and unfortunately a bill like that passed the House last year but died in the Senate.

Congressman Doc Hastings says that Democrat card check legislation takes away the rights of American workers to a secret ballot and has already been opposed by Hastings and a diverse coalition of Washington agriculture organizations.

HASTINGS: I find it very ironic that those of us that are elected by secret ballot would deny a secret ballot to those that would want to join a union and that’s what the issue is about.

That’s today’s Fruit Grower Report. I’m Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.

 

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