220 likes | 371 Views
Hospitality Asset Managers Association October 2, 2008. Card Check Union Membership on Decline. Private Sector Union Density: 7.4% Overall Union Density: 12.0% Public Sector Union Density: 36.2%. Card Check Legislative Offensive. “There’s no reason to subject the workers to an election.”
E N D
Hospitality Asset Managers Association October 2, 2008
Card CheckUnion Membership on Decline Private Sector Union Density: 7.4% Overall Union Density: 12.0%Public Sector Union Density: 36.2%
Card CheckLegislative Offensive • “There’s no reason to subject the workers • to an election.” • --Bruce Raynor UNITE HERE
So-Called “Employee Free Choice Act” would undermine 1935 Labor Relations Act Three basic components Private ballot elections in workplace replaced by public “card check” Mandatory binding interest arbitration by government in labor contracts Increased employer fines Card CheckLegislative Offensive
Card CheckLegislative Offensive Current Workplace Election Process Employer must recognize union as legal representative and bargain NLRB reviews signed cards and schedules election NLRB conducts private-ballot elections NLRB counts ballots, majority rules If majority vote for a union, then . . . Paid union organizers collect signatures • Government-supervised process, stringent guidelines • Employees freely vote their conscience in private • If 50% +1 vote to form a union, it becomes workplace representative
Card CheckLegislative Offensive “Card Check” Scheme Employer must recognize union as legal representative and submit NLRB reviews signed cards and schedules election NLRB conducts private-ballot elections NLRB counts ballots, majority rules If majority vote for a union, then . . . Paid union organizers collect signatures • No private ballot election • Organizers collect publically-signed cards from 50% +1 • Union immediately recognized
If employer does not agree to union terms within 120 days of union recognition, a government-appointed interest arbitrator imposes a binding labor contract Workers cannot vote to approve contract Card CheckLegislative Offensive
Card CheckUnion Arguments Top Three Union Arguments For Card Check “Private ballot elections take too long.” The average time for an election to be held is just 39 days. 94% of elections are held within 56 days. “Card check is the most effective way to determine the wishes of employees.” Federal courts have ruled private ballot elections are the most foolproof way to determine union support in a workplace. “EFCA still gives employees the choice of a private ballot.” The card check process gives union organizers the choice of whether to hold a private ballot election or use the results of a card check campaign to determine if a workplace becomes a union shop.
AH&LA co-founded Coalition for a Democratic Workplace (www.MyPrivateBallot.com) Over 500 members nationwide Defending workers’ rights Card CheckPrivate Ballot Protection
Card CheckPrivate Ballot Protection • MyPrivateBallot.com • Latest News • Press Releases • Virtual March on Washington • “Get Involved” Tool Kit: • - Sample Letters to the Editor • - Sample Letters to Congress • - Fact Sheets/Talking Points • - Polling Handout • “Hypocrisy Corner” • Testimonials • Research • Blog links • Multimedia
Card CheckPrivate Ballot Protection • The sanctity of the private ballot as the cornerstone of workplace democracy • Private ballot protects a workers’ fundamental rights from unions AND management • Workers should have the ability to freely determine their workplace representation and conditions
Card CheckPrivate Ballot Protection QUESTION: Please tell me whether you agree or disagree with the following statement: “Secret ballot elections are the cornerstone of democracy and should be kept for union elections.”
Card CheckPrivate Ballot Protection • 89% of Americans believe having a federally supervised private ballot election is the best way to protect the individual rights to workers and that a worker’s vote on unionization should remain private • 73% of Republicans and 70% of Democrats would be less likely to vote for a Member of Congress who voted in favor of taking away a worker’s right to a federally supervised private ballot election • --McLaughlin & Associates • Poll taken between January 28-31, 2007 in a poll of 1,000 likely voters with an oversample of union households of 120, bringing the number of union households in the poll to 400
House approved 241-185 March 1, 2007 Supporters expected 260-270 votes 13 Republicans supported 2 Democrats opposed Blocked in Senate on filibuster June 26, 2007, 51-48 (60 needed) 1 Republican supported No Democrats opposed Card CheckFirst Defeat
Card CheckPrivate Ballot Protection • Unions lost control of message fight • Unions wanted debate about merits of joining a union - we made it a fight about privacy
Card CheckPrivate Ballot Protection • Television Ads - “Change”
Card CheckPrivate Ballot Protection • Television Ads - Minnesota
Card CheckU.S. House of Representatives 32 Competitive Republican Seats 26 Competitive Democratic Seats
Card CheckU.S. Senate Reps Defending 23 Seats, 18 Vulnerable Dems Defending 12 Seats, 2 Vulnerable
Card CheckPrivate Ballot Protection • AH&LA Educational Video (www.ahla.com/cardcheck)
How can you help? Educate colleagues and employees about card check Download lodging industry card check video from AH&LA Website Remember: www.ahla.com/cardcheck Visit www.MyPrivateBallot.com Donate to the AH&LA Legislative Readiness Fund Send to AH&LA or online at www.ahla.com/cardcheck InvolvementWhat You Can Do
Marlene Colucci Executive Vice President, Public Policy (202) 289-3121 mcolucci@ahla.com www.ahla.com Contact Information