Comments on: EFCA a priority for Obama: Steps to take now

By: Ed

Ed — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 21:48:25 +0000

this is low hanging fruit for the Obama administration. For those who don’t think he’ll get around to it soon i think you are wrong. it sends a message to his labor patrons that he takes them seriously so it’ll happen quickly (at least quickly in government terms). good lord i hope i’m wrong but i’m not counting on that.

By: mw

mw — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 20:35:44 +0000

I am appalled at the nastiness and name calling that goes on in this blog. Just because you don’t agree with the opposing viewpoint doesn’t mean you need to be so despicable. After all, there have been accesses by both labor and big business. I feel like I am listening to a bunch of 6th graders. (Oops; 6th graders usually have more manners). I’m outa here.

By: Jeff Pogue

Jeff Pogue — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:11:34 +0000

Earney, I am absolutely positive this will be a top issue…especially if the bailout/loan to the Big 3 is delayed and it’ll be a backdoor “present” to the UAW and other unions to payoff their loyalty in the past elections…count on it. I, unfortunately believe this will pass in some form or another…not enough votes to totally stop it now.

By: Jeff Pogue

Jeff Pogue — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:08:48 +0000

To Jeanette, the simple and unfortunate answer is, “NO!” Nothing changed regarding the decert process (I hope you are not surprised by that) as the demos/libs pushing this would NEVER do anything to hurt the union’s chances of hanging around.

By: Ranee

Ranee — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 21:43:33 +0000

Earney hasn’t looked at who has financed Obama’s campaign. Since the unions have worked together to finance his campaign and the campaigns of many of the recently elected Democrats, politicians WILL make this act a priority to receive return on their investment.

And don’t assume that this act will just impact small organizations. Why would unions stop at organizing small businesses when they can generate more cash going after the big ones? This act is going to impact every business, regardless of size. And don’t ignore any layer of your organization — this could impact whether managers are organized or not too.

If you can, try bending the ear of a labor lawyer — they can tell you how this will impact HR and it’s not going to make the profession easier.

By: Rick

Rick — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 20:29:33 +0000

I have worked with unions and against unions in my history of employment. I haven’t seen anything good about a union in my tenure. Unions are very similar to Congress. People who are voted in totally forget about the working person and try to line their own pockets or make it so they will reap the benefits without doing much labor. If you ever want to take a close look at an organization, then try comparing the Democratic Party and the Union, they operate the same, they act the same and they want everyone to belive they are in support of the people. They preach change but roll on as normal. Take a look at those dues you are paying. The American auto industry is almost bankrupt, but look at Toyota, Honda, Mitubishi, they are running strong and have no unions and still pay workers $20 plus. So ask yourself, what has your union done for you recently?………

By: T. Williams

T. Williams — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 18:04:13 +0000

I can’t believe that with everything that is happening with unions and the American automotive industry that this act is still on the table.

Unions are one of the main reason’s companies outsource because the union and cooperative, effective workplace are oxymorons.

By: Earney

Earney — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 17:15:55 +0000

I would be surprised if the Obama administration makes this a top priority – they have a lot of issues that are more important than this one.

EFCA will affect only the small number of organizations whose employees are trying to organize. If your employees are trying to organize, that probably means you haven’t treated them well in the past. I’ve worked in and with unions and most union members resent having a third party represent them but do so because they feel their employers took advantage of them or didn’t listen to them in the past. What we can do now is make sure we are treating our people well, communicating effectively and most of all, listening to them to prevent a unionization effort in the first place. Then EFCA won’t have any affect whether it passes or not.

By: Darice Claude-Bordley

Darice Claude-Bordley — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 17:12:54 +0000

Thanks for the informational update. This is great!

By: Walter Orechwa

Walter Orechwa — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 17:12:23 +0000

Educating your Supervisors and your employees with a custom Orientation/Icebreaker video. This 15-18 minute product is an orientation to Labor 101. It is used as indoctrination for existing employees and then during the onboarding/orientation process for all new hires. A quick company intro and positive messaging followed by the company’s philosophy on remaining union free, card-signing and most have been adding or including information on the EFCA.