Taking Away Free Choice (Letter to the Editor)

For the past 70 years, the National Labor Relations Board has overseen the union-organizing process in the workplace. Workers are entitled to a federally supervised private-ballot election when deciding whether or not to unionize. Neither paid union representatives nor management see how anyone has voted.

But that may be about to change.

Legislation pending in the U.S. Congress would deprive a worker’s right to a private-ballot election. The so-called Employee Free Choice Act, also known as “card check,” would replace the well-balanced, federally supervised private-ballot process that exists today.

Under the “card check” system, union organizers would only have to gather signed authorization cards from a majority of the workers to claim union representation. Without the private ballot, workers who were intimidated or coerced into signing authorization cards would not have the ability to change their vote in private. The workers’ votes are made public to the employer, union organizers and coworkers. Under this act union organizers can use “any means necessary” to obtain votes. Intimidation is an unacceptable practice, take it from me. I have had my home broke into and death threats left for my family for opposing unions.

There is no private-ballot election. There is no free choice.

The so-called Employee Free Choice Act goes against one of our country’s greatest traditions – the right to vote by private ballot. Throughout history, Americans have fought to protect and expand voting rights. But organized labor does not want to play by the same rules.

All workers, in every industry, deserve the fundamental American right to a federally supervised private-ballot election. This is something to keep in mind when we all go to the polls this November and cast our private ballots.

I encourage everyone to get involved by studying the issues and considering which candidate may be better for you and the companies you work for. Please take the time to look up voting records, life history, and to think about what the candidates are saying, not just feel good catch lines. Additionally make the effort to listen to more than just one or two media sources. Please vote, keep the American way alive, and contact your local representatives and ask them to oppose the Employee Free Choice Act.

Ryan Bennet

Vice President of SSi Inc. of Northwest Arkansas
Associated Builders and Contractors of Arkansas Chapter