Twice this week two major media outlets proved themselves mistaken on the Employee Free Choice Act - let's take a look at CNN and USA Today's misrepresentations of this important bill. For those not in the know, the Employee Free Choice Act is a bill supported by virtually every Democrat and some Republicans; it would remove barriers for people who want to join unions at work by embracing the democratic principle of "majority sign-up."
In a blog post and brief TV segment this week, CNN published a "fact check" on a line in John McCain's new stump speech in which he claims Barack Obama wants to "take away your right to vote by secret ballot in labor elections." CNN's "fact check" says that McCain's claim is true. Except they're just as wrong as McCain.
Let's fact check the fact check.
McCain is referring to a plan supported by labor unions. Currently, workers must get at least 30 percent of their colleagues to sign an authorization form to ask for union representation — then hold a secret-ballot vote to finalize it. The change Obama supports would let a union be recognized by the National Labor Relations Board immediately after the majority signs the authorization.
That's all true - except their explanation of the bill stops there. CNN neglects to mention that if union members want to vote by secret ballot, they can still do so. Their rights to a secret ballot are in tact; if the workers want to have a vote, they can have one. What Obama supports is opening this second option for people who know they want a union to get their union - giving those people a Free Choice. CNN's "fact check" is wrong, and McCain's assertion is patently false. CNN should retract their embarrassing "fact check."
Next up, USA Today. Today, America's most colorful newspaper opined against the Employee Free Choice Act in an editorial titled "No way to form a union." And they're correct! In America today, there is essentially "no way to form a union." Unfortunately, that's not the thrust of their editorial.
USA Today's opinion on the Employee Free Choice Act is that opening up another way for workers to join unions "undermines democratic principles," fretting about "peer pressure" as a consequence of the legislation. The paper writes:
A win for Obama and big gains for Senate Democrats could remove the remaining obstacles to the euphemistically named "Employee Free Choice Act." Cajoled choice is more like it. The proposed change would give unions and pro-union employees more incentive to use peer pressure, or worse, to persuade reluctant workers to sign their cards.
I'm not sure what's euphemistic about "Employee Free Choice Act," as the bill gives employees a free choice to form a union, something they don't have now. So let's look at why people want to join unions, and why their rights to do so should be protected at all costs.
Why is it a good thing if it's easier for workers to form unions? Take a look around. Do you think it's any surprise that the worst economic crisis in decades comes when the fewest workers are organized in unions? USA Today makes this very point, noting that only 7.5% of workers are in unions today, compared to 33% in the 1950s. But the paper neglects to examine any of the problems faced by people who try to form unions today, nor do they look at the advantages unions provide.
When workers are able to form or join a union, workplaces across the country are more fair, giving people the chance to earn better wages and benefits - and protecting against excesses like we're seeing in corporate America today.
This is the kind of difference unions make:
- Union members earn 30% more than non-union workers.
- Workers in unions are 59% more likely be covered by employer-provided health insurance.
- A large union presence in an industry or region can raise wages even for non-union workers.
- Patients suffering heart attacks have a 5.5% greater chance of survival if their nurses are union members.
In these tough economic times, that's the kind of advantage the middle class needs: higher wages, health insurance, and lifting up others around them. Unfortunately, these benefits aren't going to come out of thin air. Something needs to change in order for working people to get ahead.
Right now, the problem for people who want to form or join a union is that CEOs have complete veto power over unions. To start, 4 out of 10 workers who say they want a union never get a chance to vote for one because of delays & intimidation. And almost half the time when people actually get to vote, CEOs and their businesses willingly violate the law in order to stop their employees from having a choice to join a union.
What kind of laws do they break? Specifically, in 46 percent of elections, employers interfere by firing pro-union employees, cutting back on workers’ hours, making groundless demotions, and using other intimidating tactics. Ezra Klein compares these extreme pressures faced by workers who want to form unions to a similar environment in a US political election:
The space we're currently occupying is brutal, and makes an utter mockery of the idea of elections. Hearing the status quo defended as free and fair is like imagining a presidential election where you can vote however you'd like, but anyone who votes against the incumbent party is informed they will lose all access to Social Security, Medicare, and the protection of their local police and fire departments. Also, they'll be audited. But nevertheless: Folks can vote however they want.
Let's review.
- We are in the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, with income inequality skyrocketing and little help on the way for middle class working families.
- Unions are a proven way to help people get ahead in tough economic times, and provide the kind of benefits desperately needed by the middle class.
- It's incredibly difficult for workers to form unions these days because of lawlessness by employers and CEOs, complicated by antiquated, toothless laws.
- The Employee Free Choice Act would make it easier for people to join unions by recognizing the democratic principle of "majority sign-up," while preserving peoples' rights to secret ballots for union elections AND giving teeth to labor law.
And yet somehow, two major media outlets were dead wrong in both characterizing the legislation, and the USA Today is wrong in opposing the Employee Free Choice Act by ignoring the reality faced by people who just want to stand up for themselves and get ahead.
When we have President Obama and a solid pro-worker majority in the Senate, the Employee Free Choice Act is going to be a big battle. We're encountering a well-funded opposition that's muddying the media's waters with false characterizations and misinformation.
We can see already that if both CNN and USA Today are getting the basic facts wrong, it's going to be an uphill battle. But for the sake of America's workers - for the chance to rebuild the middle class and make the American Dream a reality - the fight for the Employee Free Choice Act will be an essential one to win.
To join our campaign for the Employee Free Choice Act, sign this petition: http://action.seiu.org/...