Coalition for a Democratic Workplace Calls on Congress to Oppose Anti-Worker Employee Free Choice Act

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The 500-member Coalition for a Democratic Workplace (CDW) today released a letter it delivered to Capitol Hill late yesterday. In the letter, CDW urged members of the Senate and House "to oppose all efforts to pass any provision included in the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA H.R. 800/S. 1041 in the 110th Congress)."

"We wanted to take the opportunity to remind members of Congress of the overwhelming opposition from the business community, their constituents and union households to this anti-worker legislation," said Brian Worth with the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace. "This bill is a job-killer and fundamentally undemocratic."

The letter also stated:

"This legislation poses not only an assault on an individual's right to privacy, but a direct threat to economic growth and job creation. Particularly at a time of economic uncertainty, Congress should not enact measures that threaten our economic competitiveness, including the Employee Free Choice Act. Furthermore, this legislation would have a particularly devastating impact on small employers who are the primary source for new jobs in our economy."

President-elect Obama's Administration and the new Congress will face its first true test early next year in the form of the anti-worker Employee Free Choice Act -- that allows unionization without secret ballots for workers. This Act, more aptly titled the Employee "Forced" Choice Act, is nothing short of a full-frontal assault on American democracy and worker privacy. Backed by union special interests and their Congressional allies, the anti-worker bill would effectively strip employees of the right to vote in private when deciding whether or not to join a union.

"It's ironic that members of Congress, all of whom were just elected by secret ballot, would even consider legislation that would remove that right for millions of American workers," added Worth.

CDW survey data indicates that support for maintaining private ballots in union organizing cuts across party lines. By a significant majority, Democrats, Republicans and Independents support maintaining a worker's right to cast their vote in private. Even among union households, a significant majority (69%) oppose the Employee Free Choice Act. And 76% of union voters say having a federally supervised secret ballot election is the best way to protect workers' rights when organizing a union.

Earlier this week, CDW launched print advertisements publicly congratulating President-elect Obama on his historic election. The ads called on the president-elect to not deny secret ballot elections to America's workers. Over the next few months, CDW plans to implement an aggressive grassroots and media campaign to defeat the EFCA.

A copy of CDW's letter to Congress is attached.

About the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace

The Coalition for a Democratic Workplace is made up of more than 500 associations and organizations from every state across the nation that have joined together to protect a worker's right to a private ballot when deciding whether to join a union. In 2008, CDW embarked on a multi-million dollar public education campaign in key states that included polling, television, radio and internet ads and direct mail. For more information and a listing of our membership, please visit www.MyPrivateBallot.com.

                              November 20, 2008

                      To All Members of the U.S. Senate
                      and U.S. House of Representatives

Congratulations on being elected to the 111th Congress. Our country faces an array of serious challenges, and we commend your desire and service in helping to craft appropriate solutions. As you look ahead to the legislation that will require your attention, we strongly encourage you to oppose all efforts to pass any provision included in the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA H.R. 800/S. 1041 in the 110th Congress).

The Coalition for a Democratic Workplace, a group of more than 500 organizations, is united in opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act because we believe this bill severely undermines long standing principles of balance and fairness in federal labor law. Make no mistake; the purpose of EFCA is not labor law reform. The legislation is a dramatic assault on the rights of employees and employers that threatens to severely undermine any chance at a constructive dialogue on labor law reform.

The key provisions in this legislation represent egregious attempts to limit the rights of employees and employers and will severely diminish the ability of U.S. business to succeed in our globally competitive market. They include:

-- The effective elimination of secret ballot voting replaced by a mandate that a union be recognized by a simple majority of signed authorization cards, exposing employees to intimidation and coercion. Employees who are not offered a card to sign would be forced into a union with no vote and no voice.

-- A two year binding contract wherein economic terms such as wages and benefits are unilaterally determined by a federal arbitrator for first contracts without a ratification vote by employees.

Neither of the above provisions, alone, or in combination, will bring about positive change for American workers or employers. This legislation poses not only an assault on an individual's right to privacy, but a direct threat to economic growth and job creation. Particularly at a time of economic uncertainty, Congress should not enact measures that threaten our economic competitiveness, including the Employee Free Choice Act. Furthermore, this legislation would have a particularly devastating impact on small employers who are the primary source for new jobs in our economy.

The signatories of this letter represent hundreds of thousands of employers united in our strong opposition to this legislation and opposed to Congressional passage of this legislation or its individual provisions. We regard this bill as the most direct threat to our ability to continue to operate competitively and create jobs.

We therefore urge you to avoid co-sponsoring or supporting this bill. For more information, analyses, and polling data showing how more than 70 percent of union households oppose the Employee Free Choice Act, please visit our coalition's website at www.myprivateballot.com.

    Sincerely,

    THE COALITION FOR A DEMOCRATIC WORKPLACE:

    60 Plus Association
    Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield (MA)
    Alabama Chapter of ABC
    Alabama Restaurant Association
    Alaska Cabaret, Hotel, Restaurant & Retailers Association
    Alaska Chapter of ABC
    Alaska Hotel & Lodging Association
    Alliance for Worker Freedom
    Aluminum Association
    American Apparel & Footwear Association
    American Association of Homes & Services for the Aging
    American Bakers Association
    American Beverage Association
    American Conservative Union
    American Fire Sprinkler Association
    American Foundry Society
    American Frozen Food Institute
    American Health Care Association
    American Hospital Association
    American Hotel & Lodging Association
    American International Automobile Dealers Association
    American Meat Institute
    American Seniors Housing Association
    American Shareholders Association
    American Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration
    American Society of Employers
    American Staffing Association
    American Supply Association
    American Trucking Associations
    American Wholesale Marketers Association
    Americans for a Limited Government
    Americans for Prosperity
    Americans for Tax Reform
    AMT-The Association for Manufacturing Technology
    Antelope Valley (CA) Chamber of Commerce
    API
    Arcadia (CA) Chamber of Commerce
    Arizona Builders Alliance of ABC
    Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry
    Arizona Hotel & Lodging Association
    Arizona IEC
    Arizona Restaurant & Hospitality Association
    Arkansas Chapter of ABC
    Arkansas Hotel & Lodging Association
    Arkansas IEC
    Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce
    Asheboro/Randolph (NC) Chamber of Commerce
    Ashland & Tri State Area Chapter IEC
    Asian American Hotel Owners Association
    Assisted Living Federation of America
    Associated Builders & Contractors
    Associated Builders & Contractors Heart of America Chapter
    Associated Builders & Contractors of Alabama
    Associated General Contractors
    Associated Industries of Massachusetts
    Association of Equipment Manufacturers
    Association of Millwork Distributors
    Association of Washington Business
    Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers
    Atlanta Hotel Council
    Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association
    Baltimore Metro Chapter of ABC
    Bearing Specialists Association
    Burnsville (MN) Chamber of Commerce
    Business & Industry Association of New Hampshire
    California Chamber of Commerce
    California Hotel & Lodging Association
    California Manufacturers & Technology Association
    California Restaurant Association
    Camarillo (CA) Chamber of Commerce
    Capital Associated Industries Inc
    Carolinas Chapter of ABC
    Center for Freedom & Prosperity
    Center for Individual Freedom
    Center for the Defense of Free Enterprise
    CenTex Chapter IEC
    Central Alabama Chapter IEC
    Central California Chapter of ABC
    Central Florida Chapter of ABC
    Central Indiana IEC
    Central Michigan Chapter of ABC
    Central Missouri IEC
    Central Ohio AEC/EIC
    Central Ohio Chapter of ABC
    Central Pennsylvania Chapter of ABC
    Central Pennsylvania Chapter of IEC
    Central Texas Chapter of ABC
    Central Washington IEC
    Centre County (PA) IEC
    Chamber of Commerce of Southwest Indiana
    Chamber of Commerce of St. Joseph County (IN)
    Chamber of Medford/Jackson County (OR)
    Charleston (SC) Metro Chamber of Commerce
    Chattanooga Area (TN) Chamber of Commerce
    Chesapeake Chapter of ABC
    Chesapeake IEC
    Chicagoland (IL) Chamber of Commerce
    Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber
    Citizen Outreach Project
    Cleveland-Bradley (TN) Chamber of Commerce
    College & University Professional Association for Human Resources
    Colorado Association of Commerce & Industry
    Colorado Hospital Association
    Colorado Hotel & Lodging Association
    Colorado Restaurant Association
    Commerce & Industry Association of New Jersey
    Connecticut Business & Industry Association
    Connecticut Chapter of ABC
    Connecticut Restaurant Association
    Consumer Electronics Association
    Copper & Brass Servicenter
    Cornhusker Chapter of ABC
    Costa Mesa (CA) Chamber of Commerce
    Council for Citizens Against Government Waste
    Cumberland Valley Chapter of ABC
    Dakotas Inc IEC/Dallas Chapter IEC
    Daytona Beach/Halifax (FL) Chamber of Commerce
    Delaware Chapter of ABC
    Delaware Restaurant Association
    Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
    Detroit (MI) Regional Chamber of Commerce
    Duluth (MN) Area Chamber of Commerce
    East Tennessee Chapter of ABC
    East Tennessee IEC
    East Texas IEC
    Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter of ABC
    Eastern Sandoval County (NM) Chamber of Commerce
    Eastern Shore Chapter of ABC
    Eastern Washington Chapter IEC
    El Paso Chapter IEC
    Empire State Chapter of ABC
    Environmental Industry Associations
    Fairfax County (VA) Chamber of Commerce
    Federation of American Hospitals
    FEWA-Marketing & Distribution Association
    Flagstaff (AZ) Chamber of Commerce
    Florida Chamber of Commerce
    Florida East Coast Chapter of ABC
    Florida First Coast Chapter of ABC
    Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of ABC
    Florida Independent Concrete & Associated Products, Inc.
    Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association
    Florida West Coast Chapter IEC
    Food Marketing Institute
    Forging Industry Association
    Fort Worth/Tarrant County IEC
    Freedom Works
    Georgia Chamber of Commerce
    Georgia Chapter of ABC
    Georgia Hotel & Lodging Association
    Georgia IEC
    Georgia Restaurant Association
    Glendale (AZ) Chamber of Commerce
    Golden Gate Chapter of ABC
    Goleta Valley (CA) Chamber of Commerce
    Grand Junction Area (CO) Chamber of Commerce
    Graphic Arts Association
    Greater Albuquerque (NM) Chamber of Commerce
    Greater Bakersfield (CA) Chamber of Commerce
    Greater Cincinnati IEC
    Greater Columbia (SC) Chamber of Commerce
    Greater Columbus (GA) Chamber of Commerce
    Greater Decatur (IL) Chamber of Commerce
    Greater Delray Beach (FL) Chamber of Commerce
    Greater Elkhart (IN) Chamber of Commerce
    Greater Findlay (OH) Chamber Inc.
    Greater Hamilton (OH) Chamber of Commerce
    Greater Houston Chapter of ABC
    Greater Louisville (KY) Inc.
    Greater Medina (OH) Chamber of Commerce
    Greater Pittsburgh (PA) Chamber of Commerce
    Greater Pittsburgh (PA) Hotel Association
    Greater Raleigh (NC) Chamber of Commerce
    Greater Reading (PA) Chamber of Commerce & Industry
    Greater Spokane Incorporated
    Greater St. Louis IEC
    Greater Syracuse (NY) Chamber of Commerce
    Green Bay Area (WI) Chamber of Commerce
    Guam Contractors Association of ABC
    Hampton Area (NH) Chamber of Commerce
    Hampton Roads Chapter IEC
    Hardin County (OH) Chamber of Commerce
    Hartford (CT) Chamber of Commerce
    Hawaii Chapter of ABC
    Hawaii Hotel & Lodging Association
    Hawaii Restaurant Association
    Heart of America Chapter of ABC
    Heating, Airconditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International
    Henderson (NV) Chamber of Commerce
    Hilliard (OH) Chamber of Commerce
    Hispanic Alliance for Progress Institute
    Hobbs (NM) Chamber of Commerce
    Hospitality Association of South Carolina
    Hotel Association of New York City
    Hotel Association of Washington DC
    Houma-Terrebonne (LA) Chamber of Commerce
    HR Policy Association
    Idaho IEC
    Idaho Lodging & Restaurant Association
    Illinois Chamber of Commerce
    Illinois Chapter of ABC
    Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association
    Illinois IEC
    Illinois Restaurant Association
    Independent Electrical Contractors Inc
    Independent Women's Voice
    Indian River County (FL) Chamber of Commerce
    Indiana Chamber of Commerce
    Indiana Chapter of ABC
    Industrial Fasteners Institute
    Industrial Supply Association
    Inland Pacific Chapter of ABC
    Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute
    International Council of Shopping Centers
    International Foodservice Distributors Association
    International Franchise Association
    International Truck Parts Association
    International Warehouse Logistics Association
    Iowa Association of Business & Industry
    Iowa Chapter of ABC
    Iowa Restaurant Association
    Iowans for Right to Work
    Kansas City IEC
    Kansas Restaurant & Hospitality Association
    Kentuckiana Chapter of ABC
    Kentucky & Southern Indiana Chapter IEC
    Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
    Kentucky Electrical Contractors Association
    Kentucky Restaurant Association
    Keystone Chapter of ABC
    Lake Havasu Area (AZ) Chamber of Commerce
    Larue County (KY) Chamber of Commerce
    Las Vegas (NV) Chamber of Commerce
    Las Vegas Chapter of ABC
    Licking County (OH) Chamber of Commerce
    Little Rock (AR) Chamber of Commerce
    Long Beach (CA) Chamber of Commerce
    Los Angeles-Ventura Chapter of ABC
    Louisiana Association of Business & Industry
    Louisiana Restaurant Association
    Louisiana Retailers Association
    Lower Bucks County (PA) Chamber of Commerce
    Lubbock Chapter IEC
    Maine Chapter of ABC
    Maine Innkeepers Association
    Maine Restaurant Association
    Management Association of Illinois (The)
    Manufacturers' Association of NW Pennsylvania
    Marion Area (IL) Chamber of Commerce
    Maryland Hotel, Motel & Resort Association
    Massachusetts Chapter of ABC
    Massachusetts Restaurant Association
    Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association
    MEC-IEC of Dayton, OH
    Metals Service Center Institute
    Metro Washington Chapter of ABC
    Metro West (MA) Chamber of Commerce
    Michigan Chamber of Commerce
    Michigan Manufacturers Association
    Michigan Restaurant Association
    Mid Gulf Coast Chapter of ABC
    Mid Tennessee Chapter of ABC
    Mid-America Lumbermens Association
    Mid-Oregon Chapter IEC
    Mid-South Chapter IEC
    Midwest IEC
    Minnesota Chapter of ABC
    Minnesota Lodging Association
    Minnesota Restaurant Association
    Mississippi Chapter of ABC
    Mississippi Economic Development Council
    Mississippi Hospitality & Restaurant Association
    Mississippi Manufacturers Association
    Missouri Restaurant Association
    Modular Building Institute
    Monroe (LA) Chamber of Commerce
    Montana Chamber of Commerce
    Montana IEC
    Montana Innkeepers Association
    Montana Restaurant Association
    Montgomery Area (AL) Chamber of Commerce
    Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association
    Mountain States Employers Council, Inc.
    Nashville IEC
    Natchitoches Area (LA) Chamber of Commerce
    National Alliance for Worker & Employer Rights
    National Armored Car Association
    National Association of Chemical Distributors
    National Association of Manufacturers
    National Association of Sign Supply Distributors
    National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors
    National Automobile Dealers Association
    National Center for Assisted Living
    National Council of Chain Restaurants
    National Federation of Independent Business
    National Franchisee Association
    National Grocers Association
    National Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association
    National Mining Association
    National Petrochemical & Refiners Association
    National Private Duty Association
    National Ready Mix Concrete Association
    National Restaurant Association
    National Retail Federation
    National Roofing Contractors Association
    National School Transportation Association
    National Small Business United
    National Solid Wastes Management Association
    National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association
    National Tank Truck Carriers, Inc.
    National Taxpayers Union
    National Tooling & Machining Association
    Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry
    Nebraska Hotel & Motel Association
    Nebraska Restaurant Association
    Nevada Hotel & Lodging Association
    Nevada Manufactures Association
    Nevada Restaurant Association
    New England IEC
    New Hampshire Lodging & Restaurant Association
    New Hampshire/Vermont Chapter of ABC
    New Jersey Business & Industry Association
    New Jersey Chapter of ABC
    New Jersey Hotel & Lodging Association
    New Jersey IEC
    New Jersey Restaurant Association
    New Mexico Chapter of ABC
    New Mexico Lodging Association
    New Mexico Restaurant Association
    New Orleans/Bayou Chapter of ABC
    New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association
    New York State Restaurant Association
    North Alabama Chapter of ABC
    North Carolina Chamber of Commerce
    North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association
    North Dakota Chamber of Commerce
    North Dakota Hospitality Association
    North Florida Chapter of ABC
    North Las Vegas (NV) Chamber of Commerce
    North Palm Beach County (FL) Chamber of Commerce
    North Texas Chapter of ABC
    Northern Allegheny County (PA) Chamber of Commerce
    Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
    Northern Michigan Chapter of ABC
    Northern New Mexico IEC
    Northern Ohio Chapter of ABC
    Northern Ohio Electrical Contractors Association
    Northwest Pennsylvania IEC
    Northwest Washington IEC
    Office Products Wholesalers Association
    Offshore Marine Service Association
    Ohio Chamber of Commerce
    Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association
    Ohio Restaurant Association
    Ohio Valley Chapter of ABC
    OKC Inc IEC
    Oklahoma Chapter of ABC
    Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association
    Oklahoma Restaurant Association
    Oklahoma State Chamber
    Optical Laboratories Association
    Oregon IEC
    Oregon Lodging Association
    Oregon Restaurant Association
    Owatonna Area (MN) Chamber of Commerce & Tourism
    Oxnard (CA) Chamber of Commerce
    Pacific Northwest Chapter of ABC
    Pacific Printing & Imaging Association
    Pelican Chapter of ABC
    Pennsylvania Chamber of Business & Industry
    Pennsylvania Restaurant Association
    Pennsylvania Tourism & Lodging Association
    Petroleum Equipment Institute
    Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association
    Portland Cement Association
    Precision Metalforming Association
    Printing & Graphics Association Mid Atlantic
    Printing & Imaging Association Mountain States
    Printing & Imaging Association of Georgia, Inc.
    Printing & Imaging Association of Mid America
    Printing & Imaging Association of New York State
    Printing Association of Florida, Inc.
    Printing Industries Association Inc. Serving Northern Kentucky & Ohio
    Printing Industries Association of San Diego (CA)
    Printing Industries Association of the South, Inic.
    Printing Industries Association, Inc. of Arizona
    Printing Industries Association, Inc. of Southern California
    Printing Industries of America
    Printing Industries of Michigan, Inc.
    Printing Industries of New England
    Printing Industries of Northern California
    Printing Industries of St. Louis (MO)
    Printing Industries of the Gulf Coast
    Printing Industries of the Midlands, Inc.
    Printing Industries of Utah
    Printing Industries of Virginia
    Printing Industries of Wisconsin
    Printing Industry of Illinois/Indiana Association
    Printing Industry of Minnesota, Inc.
    Printing Industry of the Carolinas, Inc.
    Property Rights Alliance
    Public Service Research Council
    Puget Sound Washington Chapter IEC
    Redwood Empire Chapter IEC
    Regional Legislative Alliance of Santa Barbara County (CA)
    Restaurant & Hospitality Association of Indiana
    Restaurant Association of Maryland
    Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington
    Rhode Island Chapter of ABC
    Rhode Island Hospitality & Tourism Association
    Rio Grande Valley Chapter of IEC Inc
    Rocky Mountain Chapter of ABC
    Rocky Mountain IEC
    Rogers-Lowell (AR) Chamber of Commerce
    Ruston-Lincoln (LA) Chamber of Commerce
    Sacramento (CA) Metro Chamber of Commerce
    Saginaw Valley Chapter of ABC
    San Antonio Chapter IEC
    San Diego Chapter of ABC
    San Diego North (CA) Chamber of Commerce
    San Diego North Chamber of Commerce
    Sebago Lake Region (ME) Chamber of Commerce
    Sierra Nevada Chapter of ABC
    Society of Human Resource Management
    Society of the Plastics Industry (The)
    South Carolina Chamber of Commerce
    South Carolina Trucking Association
    South Dakota Retailers Association
    South Florida Chapter Inc IEC
    South Texas Chapter of ABC
    Southeast Missouri IEC
    Southeast Pennsylvania Chapter of ABC
    Southeast Texas Chapter of ABC
    Southeastern Michigan Chapter of ABC
    Southern Arizona IEC
    Southern California Chapter of ABC
    Southern California IEC
    Southern Colorado Chapter IEC
    Southern Indiana Chapter-Evansville IEC
    Southern New Mexico IEC
    St. Mary's County (MD) Chamber of Commerce
    Staten Island (NY) Chamber of Commerce
    Steel Manufacturers Association
    Stuart-Martin County (FL) Chamber of Commerce
    Taxpayers League of Minnesota
    Tennessee Hospital Association
    Tennessee Hotel & Lodging Association
    Tennessee Restaurant Association
    Texas Coastal Bend Chapter of ABC
    Texas Gulf Coast Chapter IEC
    Texas Gulf Coast Chapter of ABC
    Texas Hotel & Lodging Association
    Texas Mid-Coast Chapter of ABC
    Texas Panhandle IEC
    Texas Restaurant Association
    Texas State IEC
    Texas Warehouse Association
    Texoma IEC
    Textile Care Allied Trades Association
    Textile Rental Services Association of America
    The Real Estate Roundtable
    Tooling & Manufacturing Association
    Treasure State IEC
    Tri-State IEC
    Truckload Carriers Association
    Tucson (AZ) Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
    U.S. Chamber of Commerce
    U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
    U.S. Human Recourses and Ethics Services
    United Chambers of Commerce-SFV & Region
    United Motorcoach Association
    Utah Chapter of ABC
    Utah Hotel & Lodging Association
    Utah IEC
    Utah Restaurant Association
    Ventura Chapter IEC
    Vermont Hospitality Council
    Virginia Chamber of Commerce
    Virginia Chapter of ABC
    Virginia Hospitality & Travel Association
    Visalia (CA) Chamber of Commerce
    Washington IEC
    Washington Restaurant Association
    Washington State Hotel & Lodging Association
    WECA IEC
    West Chamber Serving Jefferson County (CO)
    West Suburban (IL) Chamber of Commerce & Industry
    West Tennessee Chapter of ABC
    West Texas IEC
    West Virginia Chamber of Commerce
    West Virginia Chapter of ABC
    West Virginia Hospitality & Travel Association
    Western Carolina Industries
    Western Colorado Chapter of ABC
    Western Colorado IEC
    Western Michigan Chapter of ABC
    Western Pennsylvania Chapter of ABC
    Western Reserve Chapter IEC
    Western Washington Chapter of ABC
    Wholesale Florist & Florist Supplier Association
    Wichita Chapter IEC
    Wisconsin Chapter of ABC
    Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce Association
    Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association
    Wisconsin Restaurant Association
    Wyoming Lodging & Restaurant Association

SOURCE Coalition for a Democratic Workplace

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