March 1, 2007

(Washington, D.C.) - The Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) overcame another hurdle today as the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed this important piece of legislation that will take a giant step toward restoring the strength of the middle class and empowering the nation's workers.

"This vote reflects the will of the people and we must make sure this important bill becomes law," said Jim Hoffa, Teamsters General President. "President Bush must act in the best interest of our nation and sign EFCA."

Yesterday the White House issued an open threat to EFCA supporters, promising a presidential veto if the bill makes it through the Senate claiming it denies workers the chance to participate in a democratic election.

"It is irresponsible and reckless of this president to deny workers a path to unionization that is free of employer coercion and intimidation," Hoffa said. "There is nothing more democratic then free choice, and that is what EFCA offers workers who seek union representation."

EFCA, introduced with bipartisan support, is the first major attempt to reform labor law since the 1970s. The idea behind EFCA is simple: Most any American can join a group — a church group, the PTA at their child's school, or the National Rifle Association — by signing a card and paying dues. With EFCA, if a majority at a workplace wants to build a union, they sign cards and the employer recognizes their wishes. Negotiations for a labor contract begin soon after.

The current system is broken. Workers, after expressing their desire to form a union, usually endure nasty, bruising, and lawyer-dominated elections, as the employer fights to block its employees' choice, often employing illegal tactics such as firing workers.

Throughout American history, unions, not corporations, have improved the lives of working Americans. The eight-hour hour day, weekends, paid sick leave, paid vacations and the Family Medical Leave Act were all fought for and won by unions.

The Bush administration has done everything within its power to weaken unions and the middle class, including attacking the collective bargaining rights of federal workers and taking away overtime pay and collective bargaining rights for millions of private sector workers.

EFCA would put democracy back in the workplace and protect workers from the abuses of anti-union employers. A 2005 study by the University of Illinois at Chicago found that 30 percent of employers fire pro-union workers; 49 percent of employers threaten to close a worksite when workers try to unionize; 82 percent of employers hire union-busting consultants to fight organizing drives; and 91 percent of employers force employees to attend anti-union meetings one-on-one with supervisors.