ComeBack For Labor?

" Ruling in Washington over a -- only the bill that would make it easier for employees to decide whether to join a union. Now I'm pretty employee free choice act at the majority of workers sign cards requesting union. And employer would have to allow them to join one labor leaders spent close to 400 million dollars to boost the vote for president elect Obama supports the bill. And the AFL CIO was trying to wait thirty million dollars for advertisements to pushed the bill through hunger. Look through congress next year. If the bill does turn into law what impact will have a workplace and the economy joining me now as Mark McKinnon the vice chairman for public strategies and even a spokesman for the workforce fairness institute. And Mary Beth Maxwell executive director for American rights at work good morning to the -- thanks for being here. Good morning. Mark morning on the -- against the they don't tell you why."

" Well I consider myself a radical centrist and I've published a column this morning on the daily -- praising senator president elect Obama. On his -- pragmatic guy cabinet choices. But this legislation is most radical rewrite of the labor legislation since the 1930s. And it is a public policy disaster and a political nightmare in the making. Because it strips. Employees who are being organized the workplace of the fundamental American right. And principle to cast a private ballot and opens them up to coercion because they have to declare. Publicly in front of labor organizers and employers by the way. Which way they vote in -- labor organizing election and it's a disaster."

" Mary that's completely about that. When I think about that you know the employee free choice -- Common sense policy that's gonna help main street what it does in flavors free -- restores balance and it gives workers the choice again. I'm about forming unions that they can bargain about wages and benefits workers that have unions. Earned 30% higher wages their 59% more likely to have employer provided health care and that's why there's majority support for the employee free choice act."

" Okay but Mary -- let me play devil's advocate for just moment. The what used to be considered the Detroit three. They're going to go to Capitol Hill again on Friday and you and I both know that one of the main reasons why the automakers in this country faced bankruptcy. Is because of the contracts that they have with labor unions for those richer pays for those higher health care benefits. And the American people right now up pretty angry as I think you were very well we're. About the rights of unions when -- taxpayer could be on the hook. How do you get something like this accomplished at a moment like this when it's taken senators --"

" You know I really disagree on that this is the United States of America we can absolutely have thriving businesses. And invest in working families and a strong middle class and successful companies like AT&T. And Harley-Davidson. Demonstrate that we can do that I think what the American people are tired. Are these old school conflicts and fear mongering right they want us to sit down at the table together. Like grownups talk to each other roll our sleeves up and come up with solutions that work in this 21 century global economy."

" You know mark you were on -- we want to send an -- McCain's chief advisers and and during his presidential campaign. If you don't you tell me. What does this say if something like this does become law. And what are the long term ramifications. For not only the American worker but for the corporations involved."

" Well -- the one thing we know is that employers in America are are completely stressed out right now because of the economic meltdown. And they have no idea about this legislation and it would it would impose. Labor conditions mandated by federal arbitrator when negotiations break council federal bureaucrat will come in and dictate to your contracts. For employers and employers just have no idea about this legislation. And contrary to what Mary Beth said. Actually 87% of the American public support private -- is that it's a democratic traditions. And democratic congressman supporting legislation wrote to the Mexican congress in 2001. Urging them to support private ballots and members of democratic congress just last week NA in it in an election for leadership. Said thank god for private -- girls who have an open course and we would've been able to change the leadership."

" Yeah you're smiling tell me why I. Smile let's set the record straight about what the employee free trees that does and what it doesn't it right. These guys are saying that it does away with secret ballot election and it's simply not true and spending millions of dollars on misleading attack ads saying that it's true doesn't make it true. With the employee free choice -- does is it gives it tweaks to the workers. They can form a union through getting the majority of people to sign cards where they can form a union during election but right now. In the current system employers get to invoke an outdated set of government rules that gives them the upper hand did you know that in 25%. Of organizing campaigns employers illegally fire someone during the course of that campaign. But the employee free choice act is going to do is simply fix a broken system that gives corporations are too much power we need a little balance. A little fairness workers deserve a free choice and a fair chance mark."

" Well it's actually forced choice and and you know you don't have to agree to -- Just look at what senator George McGovern who has come out of retirement. He feels so strongly about this issue is a longtime labor supporter principled. Leader of the Democratic Party says -- defies everything the democratic party's tradition. Because it doesn't back -- read the legislation go to say the election dot com it says clearly. And all you have to do is get 50% plus one of people on this card check systems. Which is not a private ballot to declare they want to union and a union is mandated by the way."

" Marking married that I love your energy I'd love to stay on and we're glad you're gonna -- commercial -- pay my bills here. But I'd love to have the -- you guys back on to talk about it in the -- thank you guys so much for John."