Free Choice Act would hurt workers

Sandra Adler recently wrote in support of the cynically misnamed "Employee Free Choice Act." Ms. Adler is sadly misinformed about the purpose and "need" for this revision to our labor laws.

Ms. Adler claims the process of organizing workers is "skewed" in favor of employers. The most recent tally by the National Labor Relations Board reveals that unions win more than 50 percent of all representation elections.

The fact that union membership in the U.S. has declined since the 1950s is testament to the fact that employees choose not to pay a third party to represent them in dealing with their employers. Further, corporations have no "veto power" over union elections. The voting process is overseen by the NLRB, and the results are final upon certification by the board.

Contrary to bestowing "freedom" upon workers, EFCA proposes to take important rights away from employees in two ways. The law denies workers the right to a secret ballot election in deciding whether to unionize, and takes away the right to vote to accept a proposed collective bargaining agreement governing the terms and conditions of their employment.

Ms. Adler laments that our children should be taught about the American dream. Our kids should learn respect for the U.S. Constitution and the American way. A secret ballot election is a bedrock right of U.S. citizenship and must be protected at all costs.

EFCA is a blatant example of how our country has slid into the abyss of "fairness" - the proponents of EFCA can't win according to the rules of the game, so they cry out for the rules to be changed.

I would encourage you to write your senator and representatives to ask for their support in opposing this dangerous piece of legislation.

Ken Weigand

Lake Zurich