–updated–
The Employee Free Choice Act war began today. Citigroup didn’t waste one moment getting involved, in the hopes that the Employee Free Choice Act will be the victim, right after the American middle class, as they downgraded Wal-Mart from buy to hold today. All of this based on “unionization” fears. Shorter Citigroup: manipulate the market using unions as the scapegoat. Even shorter Citigroup: screw the middle class.
Citigroup Inc. lowered its rating on Wal-Mart Stores Inc. to hold from buy on Tuesday, citing concern that legislation intended to make it easier for employees to unionize would raise the retail giant’s labor costs and hurt its competitiveness. [...]
The proposed Employee Free Choice Act, a top priority for unions this year, could be introduced to the House as early as Tuesday by Rep. George Miller, D.- Calif., the analyst said. Wal-Mart would be the “primary target” if any such bill were to be passed, especially because the U.S. food retail industry has historically been unionized with the exception of Wal-Mart, the largest food retailer, she said. …
First, EFCA makes it easier for employees to form unions.
Republicans don’t want unions and neither do corporations.
“Secret ballots” make it easier for employers to manipulate the process by revealing these “secret ballots” as they decide, without sunrise and transparency.
Finally and most importantly, EFCA DOES NOT ELIMINATE THE “SECRET BALLOT,” but it would be up to the workers to decide. EFCA offers more choices while “secret ballots” (without EFCA) offer only one. (Sorry to scream, but too many Republicans are lying about this issue.)
So why are some Democrats caving? Sen. Blanche Lincoln’s reasoning:
At least six Senators who have voted to move forward with the so-called card-check proposal, including one Republican, now say they are opposed or not sure — an indication that Senate Democratic leaders are short of the 60 votes they need for approval.
The legislation is divisive and distracting, said Arkansas Sen. Blanche Lincoln in an interview Monday. The Democratic lawmaker, who was previously seen as a supporter, said the Senate should focus on creating jobs and improving the U.S. economy. “I have 90,000 Arkansans who need a job, that’s my No. 1 priority,” she said. The legislation, she said, would be “divisive and we don’t need that right now. We need to focus on the things that are more important.” [...]
Aw, heck, Blanche, we wouldn’t want to be “divisive.” It’s just middle class wages and benefits we’re fighting to bolster. After all, not everyone can afford to work and feed their family on minimum wage. I wonder if she’s tried that one lately. Let’s take away Sen. Lincoln’s health care, plus lower her wages to see how she likes it.
UPDATE: George Stephanopoulos is reporting that a “leadership source” has said that Sen. Reid has decided not to schedule a floor vote on EFCA until summer.
Follow the money. Who did WalMart give donations to?
I’m in an industry that is against the EFCA and a related professional organization, of which I’m a member, sent out the contact your congress critter and “help stop the momentum to preserve the sanctity of the private ballot”. Yeah, I’m going to get right on that….
See update.
Hopefully, Senator Al will be seated by then. We will need him.
In a democracy, we should be about giving people as many opportunities as possible to express their will. So I support the Employee Free Choice Act. The notion that a company can decide for its employees if and how they express their desire to organize is obscene.
And yet… I think Citi is absolutely right. If EFCA passes, it is more likely that Wal-Mart will unionize. Which will lead to increased labor costs. Which will affect Wal-Mart’s competitivenes. I don’t think Citi is saying “screw the middle class” just by pointing that out.
Competitiveness? Or soul crushing domination of the retail market in part by paying substandard wages and expecting employees to rely on public assistance?
justlen says:
10 March 2009 at 6:46 pm
Competitiveness? Or soul crushing domination of the retail market in part by paying substandard wages and expecting employees to rely on public assistance?
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I prefer that French operation, Targ’et.
I agree with Ogenec. Union labor drives up my costs and that affects my NOI, which sometimes forces me to cut back staff to compensate. As a moderate democrat, I understand the plight of labor in this country and the importance of their recognition. For that reason, I support the EFCA. However, it doesn’t mean I don’t curse the SEIU when I look at my income statement.
Let’s take away Sen. Lincoln’s health care, plus lower her wages to see how she likes it.
That’s exactly what should happen to these people. They are too wealthy to care any more about average folks. The corporations are running everything, including healthcare. I don’t know if anything is going to change as long as the system is steeped in politicians being bought and paid for. Unless one of them wants to grow a spine, which rarely happens.
Whatever Blanche.
Your evil overlords at WalMart have spoken and you have fallen in line.
Ms. Blanche does know which side her bread is buttered on…..
vintagejulie says:
10 March 2009 at 10:03 pm
Bingo.