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Senate Looking for Compromise on Card Check Bill
According to reports, Senate Democrats have abandoned efforts to include the card check provision in the Employee Free Choice Act of 2009 (EFCA). Pro-labor Senators are now working on a so-called compromise bill after realizing the chamber could not secure a 60-vote filibuster-proof majority on legislation that contains the provision. ATA and others in the business community have lobbied against the card check provision that would take away a worker’s right to a secret ballot election during the unionizing process.
ATA still strongly opposes EFCA and encourages members to tell their elected officials in the House and Senate about the negative effects the bill would have on the trucking industry and the business community.
Senators are now creating a so-called compromise bill centered on the following ideas:
• Expedited Elections - a secret ballot election would have to occur within 5 to 10 days after 30 percent of the workforce signs union cards.
• Worksite Access - professional union organizers would be given access to the work place for the purpose of organizing workers.
• Workers could not be required to attend anti-union presentations by the employer.
Also, reports on the compromise legislation did not mention other controversial provisions such as binding interest arbitration or mail-in ballots. The inclusion of these provisions remains unclear. Both Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) and Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) have expressed opposition to binding interest arbitration.
As of now, the Senate has yet to introduce a new labor bill, and reports indicate that Senators must still work out many of the details. In addition, this compromise could come as an amendment to other legislation. ATA will continue to monitor the situation and keep members informed of any new developments.
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