Pawn Power
23rd May 2009, 16:06
Card Check is Pronounced Dead - David Macaray (http://www.counterpunch.org/macaray05222009.html)
Earlier this week it was acknowledged by labor officials and Democratic insiders that the EFCA (Employee Free Choice Act), as presently written, wasnt going to pass. While the bill may be reintroduced in a different form, the crucial card check component has been pronounced dead. Although labor wonks across the country were disappointed by the news, most werent surprised by it.
Despite all the hoopla and anticipation, skeptics had predicted long ago that this ambitious bill, which would have provided working people with far greater access to labor unions, had virtually no chance of passing. Why? Because it was too explicitly pro-labor.
Big Business and the Democratic Party (despite its lip service) simply couldnt allow legislation this progressive to become law. Not for nothing has Taft-Hartley remained on the books for 62 years.
Earlier this week it was acknowledged by labor officials and Democratic insiders that the EFCA (Employee Free Choice Act), as presently written, wasnt going to pass. While the bill may be reintroduced in a different form, the crucial card check component has been pronounced dead. Although labor wonks across the country were disappointed by the news, most werent surprised by it.
Despite all the hoopla and anticipation, skeptics had predicted long ago that this ambitious bill, which would have provided working people with far greater access to labor unions, had virtually no chance of passing. Why? Because it was too explicitly pro-labor.
Big Business and the Democratic Party (despite its lip service) simply couldnt allow legislation this progressive to become law. Not for nothing has Taft-Hartley remained on the books for 62 years.