Standing Fast

Big news for U.S labor. Today, the House of Representatives passed the Employee Free Choice Act today overwhelmingly, 241-185. The act allows workers to form a union if a majority of employees sign up to join one. Pretty simple eh? Under current law a union had to get a majority of the workplace to sign up, then petition the National Labor Relations Board for a union election. This could take months, during the which the bosses go to work full time campaigning for a no vote. The AFL-CIO complied some good reasons why this system discriminates against unions.

The bill will likely die in the Senate though, but its an important first step to revamping labor law to help those actually who do the labor.

The Democrats owe the AFL-CIO and the Change to Win Labor Federation big time and they know it. They may hem and haw on everything else, but Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D) really did go to bat on this. Check out why in this post-election analysis by the AFL-CIO.

Find out if your representative supported or opposed the Free Choice Act and be prepared to thank them for supporting democratic rights or figure out ways to remove them from office in 08. And contact your Senator here.