.gif){kind=logo}
The Coalition for a Democratic Workplace has released the results from a push-poll to bolster the organization’s inaccurate claims about public opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act and certain key provisions. A push-poll is a survey that uses loaded language to skew the results and to spread misinformation under the guise of reputability. In fact, an overwhelming majority of Americans support the legislation, which would help level the playing field by making it easier for workers to bargain with their employers for better wages, benefits, and working conditions.
The CDW is a front group for business associations, industry lobbying groups, and right-wing groups who are against workers organizing to improve their family’s lives.
In its poll released in January 2009, the CDW used biased and false language like claiming that unions are pushing for laws to “make it easier to force workers into a union.” Marc Ambinder of the Atlantic Monthly wrote about the poll, “The CDW definition includes loaded language implying that their co-workers and bosses could intimidate them into signing the card”
In fact, in a Hart Research Associates survey of 1,007 adults in December 2008, 73 percent favored the Employee Free Choice Act after hearing descriptions of its three main provisions.
- 75 percent favor the provision which “allows employees to have a union once a majority of employees in a workplace sign authorization cards indicating they want to form a union,” including 44 percent who strongly support the idea.
- 64 percent favor the provision which “strengthens penalties for companies that illegally intimidate or fire employees who try to form a union,” including 49% who strongly support penalties.
- 61% favor the provision which “establishes binding arbitration in cases where a company and a newly certified union cannot agree on a contract after three months of negotiating
Who supports the CDW?
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which has a history of opposing commonsense policies for working families including increases in the federal minimum wage.
- Retail Industry Leaders Association, which represents Wal-Mart. The company is known for its anti-worker policies such as requiring employees to work off the clock or without breaks, failing to provide overtime pay, and violating federal labor laws.
- Americans for Tax Reform which has opposed overtime protections for millions of American workers opposed expanding the state children’s health insurance program.
In short, the CDW represents the interests of those seeking to put profits over people. The Employee Free Choice Act fixes the current broken system that gives the employer the ability to frustrate their workers’ choice to organize to improve their family’s and their community’s lives. Circuit City is just the latest casualty on the war on workers. This push-poll along with the secret ballot canard are attempts to use their deep pockets to overthrow the will of the people. President Barack Obama has pledged to sign the Employee Free Choice Act into law once it is passed by Congress.
Comments
Thank you for another great column, Mr. Moore. Here is some more information:
Coalition for a Democratic Workplace =
astroturf ( fake grass-roots organization )
"The CDW is an astroturf organization of the National Association of Manufacturers, who aren't exactly pro-worker."
http: //www.dailykos.com/story/2008/5/7/9627/04663/669/494628
Just because the poll didn't come out the way you wanted doesn't mean it was rigged. America is built on the secret ballot and they don't want to give that up. If workers wanted a union, they could get one now. Workers don't want to pay the union dues. The unions spend money to elect politicians not to help the union members. I read too many stories about embezzlement by union officials, etc.
The secret ballot election will still be an option, the act just changes who can call for one. The employees are the natural constituancy to make that decision, not the employeer (as now) who's interest is obviously at odds with them as evidenced by the signed cards. The statement that "if workers wanted a union they could get one now" is refuted by a recent survey that found that more than 50% of non-union employees would join a union if they could. The dues argument is also bogus because nationally union members earn much more than the required dues, above their non-union counterparts. Unions spend money to elect politicians specifically TO help the union members. Unions ARE the least corrupt of all national sized organizations, not because they are better peopled, just better watched.
You wrote a good column Mr. Moore. Thank you.
Barbara, Mr.Moore didn't state if he did or did not like the outcome of the poll. The gist of the article was how the poll was in fact rigged using loaded language to influence its outcome. There wasn't anything in this article that wasn't factual.
Why do you suppose unions spend money to get people elected? Do you suppose it might be good for workers to have elected officials who are sympathetic to workers needs and rights. The whole idea of unions is to provide collective strength and unity for workers because as individuals they are powerless against those that would otherwise exploit them.
Why do you suppose corporations and associations paid by corporations spend money to elect politicians?
By the way Barbara it is not easy to start a union. Union organizers historically have been intimidated, beaten and even killed and they have had to overcome mountains of disinformation and propaganda put out by organizations like CDW and dumbed down citizenry who consistently vote against their own self interest in the mistaken belief that that we live in a classless society. These are individuals who admire the exploiters. They are infused with the futile belief that they will participate as one of exploiters if they apply enough elbow grease and pull themselves up by their bootstraps.
An analogy to this kind of bourgeois individualist thought is the power relationship between An authoritarian and petite authoritarian. The authoritarian (boss) disciplines, or denigrates his fawning employee (petite authoritarian). Instead of pointing out the unfairness of the bosses behavior and standing up for himself, he goes home and beats the dog or abuses his wife, who are a step below him in the power hierarchy or he lashes out against others who are defenseless like blacks, gays, hippies, or fellow workers... whoever is the powerless victim dejour relayed to them through the exploiter owned mass media. The petite authoritarian has absorbed and ascribes to the idea of inequality and cannot make the distinction between themselves and those exploiting them. They, for all intents and purposes take the side of the bosses because they want to be the boss. They are the 30% who constantly drink the koolaid against all reason and fact.
You stated that you read too many stories about union embezzlers. Where did you read these stories and what were the writers agendas? Who paid the writers and what interlocking corporate board did the payer sit on. What is their agenda? Are you informed or disinformed?
The Coalition for a Democratic Workplace Spreads MORE LIES Again about the Employee Free Choice Act
The Coalition for a Democratic Workplace an organization, it should be noted, that opposes the Employee Free Choice Act has released a McLaughlin & Associates poll showing opposition to card check legislation among union households. The poll also included a larger sample of voters. Its findings, according to a statement:
Three out of four voters (74%) oppose the "The Employee Free Choice Act". Union households also strongly oppose the Employee Free Choice Act, 74% oppose to only 20% support.
When given a more detailed description of the Employee Free Choice Act, nearly 9 out of 10 voters, 86%, feel the process should remain private and only 8% feel it should be public information. Again, even union workers feel strongly that the process should be kept private, as 88% said private and only 8% said public.
Four out of five voters, or 82%, favor having a federally supervised election as a means to "protect the individual rights of workers". The voters clearly see this as a basic right, especially given that only 11% of voters feel the card check would be the best way to protect the individual rights of workers. Support increases to 85% among union households.
The majority (52% to 26%) of American voters believe that the Employee Free Choice Act is not good for job creation. Even among union households, the plurality (48%) believes that the Employee Free Choice Act will cost America jobs.
In the current economic climate, 52% of voters are particularly opposed to any measure that would risk jobs or job growth.
Further exemplifying the electorates' distaste for the Employee Free Choice Act, 71% agreed that this legislation would be "unwise" and "risky". In today's economic climate, the electorate has little confidence in the federal government's ability to make such major business decisions.
Union busting is a field populated by bullies and built on deceit. A campaign against a union is an assault on individuals and a war on truth. As such, it is a war without honor. The only way to bust a union is to lie, distort, manipulate, threaten, and always, always attack.
Martin Jay Levitt, 1993, Confessions of a Union Buster
For More Information on EFCA please visit our website and blog
employeefreechoiceactnow.org
efcanow.blogspot.com/
FreeChoiceActNow.Org
LaborUnionResources.Org
You wrote a good column Mr. Moore. Thank you.
Barbara, Mr.Moore didn't state if he did or did not like the outcome of the poll. The gist of the article was how the poll was in fact rigged using loaded language to influence its outcome. There wasn't anything in this article that wasn't factual.
Why do you suppose unions spend money to get people elected? Do you suppose it might be good for workers to have elected officials who are sympathetic to workers needs and rights. The whole idea of unions is to provide collective strength and unity for workers because as individuals they are powerless against those that would otherwise exploit them.
Why do you suppose corporations and associations paid by corporations spend money to elect politicians?
By the way Barbara it is not easy to start a union. Union organizers historically have been intimidated, beaten and even killed and they have had to overcome mountains of disinformation and propaganda put out by organizations like CDW and dumbed down citizenry who consistently vote against their own self interest in the mistaken belief that that we live in a classless society. These are individuals who admire the exploiters. They are infused with the futile belief that they will participate as one of exploiters if they apply enough elbow grease and pull themselves up by their bootstraps.
An analogy to this kind of bourgeois individualist thought is the power relationship between An authoritarian and petite authoritarian. The authoritarian (boss) disciplines, or denigrates his fawning employee (petite authoritarian). Instead of pointing out the unfairness of the bosses behavior and standing up for himself, he goes home and beats the dog or abuses his wife, who are a step below him in the power hierarchy or he lashes out against others who are defenseless like blacks, gays, hippies, or fellow workers... whoever is the powerless victim dejour relayed to them through the exploiter owned mass media. The petite authoritarian has absorbed and ascribes to the idea of inequality and cannot make the distinction between themselves and those exploiting them. They, for all intents and purposes take the side of the bosses because they want to be the boss. They are the 30% who constantly drink the koolaid against all reason and fact.
You stated that you read too many stories about union embezzlers. Where did you read these stories and what were the writers agendas? Who paid the writers and what interlocking corporate board did the payer sit on. What is their agenda? Are you informed or disinformed?
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!