It seems like there is more negative economic news every day. In a recession like this, employers may cut jobs, consolidate offices, not give raises, or ask people to cut their hours/take a voluntary pay cut. But I was recently reminded that other organizations are trying to use the economic conditions to their benefit. Labor unions in particular are trying to strengthen their position now because they know that many people are just happy to have a job, so the individuals won't stand up to the unions.
For instance, I've been reading about the "Card Check" plan that some unions are proposing. Basically, those unions want to take away workers' ability to choose whether or not to join a union through secret ballot elections. In other words, the union can persuade the workers through unethical means to approve the union's wishes and they will know exactly who votes with them and who votes against them. That just seems scary to me. I think unions should be truly optional. If workers decide that they want one, that's fine. But if they decide they DON'T want one, that should be fine, too. And the ballots should be filled out in private, with no way to identify individual votes. Otherwise, I think workers would have to fear reprisals - like losing their job or harassment - if they don't vote the "right" way.
Unions are gathering a lot of signatures on a petition to get Congress to pass "Card Check". Unfortunately, Congress seems so preoccupied that they appear to be passing everything, without regard to the long term effects. I hope "Card Check" doesn't get put in the same category. That would be disastrous. Not only for the potential to make workers do what they don't want to do, but this could cause more unwanted unions to form in small businesses. If that happens, any economic recovery will be slowed or stopped because the small businesses would have less flexibility to react to new opportunities because of restrictive union regulations. If you are against the "Card Check" initiative like I am, make sure you let Congress know how you feel. I found a petition online set up by the Friends of the United States Chamber of Commerce that we can sign. You can go here to make your voice heard, too:
http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/takeaction/index.
cfm?ID=78
