There have been many instances in the past in which organized labor has proven itself to be an asset to equality in America. It helped bring about prosperity to many Americans during a time when prosperity was limited a select few. In spite of this there is a dark side to organized labor in America. The most infamous case of this darkness was occurred in the 50's and 60's when Jimmy Hoffa held the reigns of the Teamsters union. This darkness was borne when the US government gave the unions far too much power and far too little regulation.

Now our some in our government are poised to make the same mistake. Yesterday March 10, 2009 US Senator Tom Harkin and US Representative George Miller introduced legislation in the US Senate (S. 560) and US House of Representatives (H.R. 1409) that would expand the powers wielded by labor unions. The legislation in question is titled the Employee Free Choice Act of 2009. The main provision in this bill is what is known as the card check and would fundamentally change how labor unions are certified to represent a workplace.

Currently in order for a workplace to be organized the union or individuals wishing to organize must demonstrate to the National Labor Relations Board that there is enough interest in organizing to warrant a secret ballot election. The use of the secret ballot is a safeguard that is in place to protect employees from coercion from both the employer and the union. The employee is able to go into the voting booth without someone bearing down on them or interference from others. This would all change if the EFCA is allowed to be enacted as law. It would open up employees to harassment and coercion from all sides in the matter.

My opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act does not stem from an anti-union standpoint. It comes from an individual that saw the lengths that individuals are willing to go to accomplish their goals. I have seen management harass and rail against people in an anti-union tirade. But at the same time I have seen union advocates engage in dirty and immoral tactics. My opposition comes from the standpoint that enacting the card check will only serve to weaken protections for employees that the heroes of the labor movement fought and struggled for in the early parts of the 20th Century. Passing the Employee Free Choice Act will only hurt those that it proclaims to protect.