On the picket line

Pro-union legislation passes in U.S. House

The House of Representatives passed the Employee Free Choice Act by a vote of 241 to 185 on March 1. Supported by the entire organized labor movement, the EFCA is designed to promote union organizing by requiring employers to recognize and negotiate with unions after a majority of employees sign cards saying they want union representation. That process, known as card check, often moves very quickly—just a matter of two to four weeks. Currently, the process usually bogs down when employers refuse to recognize the union on the basis of signed cards and insist instead on a secret-ballot elections. Then the bosses go on the offensive, mounting vicious anti-union campaigns during which union supporters are fired, spied on and intimidated, pro-union workers are blocked from voting, ballots are tampered with, etc. These campaigns hardly engender “free choice” and often lead to prolonged lawsuits, which delay unionization for years or block it entirely. No wonder organizations like the Chamber of Commerce are bitterly opposed to the EFCA. Business’s best friend in the White House, President George W. Bush, has vowed to veto the bill. However, it’s unlikely the millionaires’ club known as the Senate will pass the EFCA. Stay tuned.

Support Smithfield workers!

The situation of the Smithfield workers in Tar Heel, N.C., is Exhibit A of why card check is needed. You’ve read about the horrible working conditions at the Smithfield meat processing plant and the determined struggle of the workers—predominantly African-American and immigrants from Latin America—to win better working conditions, higher wages and more benefits through union representation. Because of a vicious anti-union campaign by Smithfield bosses, many of those who are fighting for dignity, respect and a voice on the job have been fired or face deportation. The Smithfield Worker Justice Fund was recently established by Interfaith Worker Justice so friends of labor could help those workers in need. Please contribute generously at www.iwj.org/dev/smithfield-fund.html.

Stop & Shop negotiations continue

Over 43,000 workers at Stop & Shop supermarkets in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island are poised to strike if the bosses don’t offer a contract with decent health insurance, good pension terms and higher wages. After their contracts expired Feb. 18, all five union locals of the Food and Commercial Workers voted to strike. Negotiations are continuing.