|
Baltimore, MD -- Congressman John Sarbanes joined dozens of labor leaders today from across the state to discuss the Employee Free Choice Act. Presiding over the meeting was Ernie Grecco, President of the Metropolitan Baltimore Council of the AFL-CIO. He was joined by Fred Mason, President of the Maryland State and DC AFL-CIO, and labor leaders from many unions such the American Federation of Government Employees, American Federation of State County Municipal Employees, Baltimore Teachers Union, Communication Workers of America, International Association of Machinists, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the United Steelworkers.
Congressman Sarbanes, as a member of the Education and Labor Committee, is an original co-sponsor of the Employee Free Choice Act (H.R.800). He stated, “This is not a radical proposal. All we are asking is that workers be allowed to organize without undue influence by employers.”
The proposed legislation focuses on three points:
1. It provides for union certification if a majority of workers have properly signed authorization cards. By removing management-controlled elections, the environment in which employees make their choice will be closer to truly free and fair.
2. It mandates that the initial contracting process be elevated to mediation and then arbitration if the employer and the union are engaged in bargaining for more than 90 days. Currently, 1 in 3 employers do not agree to a contract after workers succeed in forming a union.
3. It places stronger penalties on worker harassment, discrimination and termination during the organizing period.
When asked about international trade agreements, Congressman Sarbanes stated, “In the era of homeland security, we should also be talking about economic security. The bad news is that America is losing it’s competitive edge in the world economy. The good news is that the American worker is the most productive worker in the world, when treated fairly.”
There was sense of pride in the room as the Congressman reminded everyone that the American labor movement was responsible for the new Democratic majority. “I am grateful to report that you all have a strong voice on the floor of the House of Representatives. There is no one in that chamber that isn’t aware of the successful work you did in electing leaders who will champion the causes of working people. I salute each and every one of you.”
|
