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13.11.2008
TNRtv: Judis on Why Obama Should Grant Unions Card Check

TNR senior editor John B. Judis encourages Obama to make good on his card check promise to organized labor, arguing that unions are not only important for equality and democracy, but are also crucial to stimulating the economy.

--Ben Eisler

Posted: Thursday, November 13, 2008 4:32 PM with 2 comment(s)

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rbshreve2 said:

Beware of unintended consequences.  Unions have become big businesses in their own right, and will almost certainly use aggressive pressure tactics to grow membership.

Any system for “card check” needs to include a secret ballot step. Otherwise it opens the door to abuse and even violent coercion. Organizers will not respect the rights of individual workers to say no, any more that they respect the rights of non-union workers or “scabs” to cross picket lines.

Workers should also be allowed to easily switch unions by electing a different union, one that offers them better representation than the one they have. The competition would keep the focus on worker benefit and allow members to shake off unions that become corrupt or bloated with dead wood. Too often once a union gets in, the focus shifts to practices that benefit and perpetuate the union officials at the expense of those they are chartered to represent.

November 13, 2008 5:28 PM

ChanRobt said:

Ah, the soviets raise their ugly heads immediately.

There is an obvious reason that we grant the secret ballot in America:  to protect people from intimidation and coercion.

But, of course, the Left is all about intimidation and coercions.  "Liberals," hell.

November 14, 2008 1:22 PM