Metrowest Chamber of Commerce

Chamber President A. Theodore Welte recently sent letters to Sen. Kennedy, Sen. Kerry and Rep. Markey urging them to vote against the proposed federal Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA, H.R. 1409). The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and many other critics, believe the measure, if passed, would have a devastating impact on employers.

“The bill,” Welte’s letter asserts, “consists of three provisions, each of which is unacceptable.

“ Elimination of the Secret Ballot. Trading the secret ballot process for one that invites intimidation and coercion and leads to widespread disenfranchisement of workers is not a step in the right direction.

“ Writing contracts through government imposed arbitration. Forced arbitration would impose unreasonable and inflexible terms and cause employers to lose control over their operations, preventing them from growing their businesses.

“Unreasonable and one-sided penalty expansion. EFCA imposes dramatic new penalties on employers for violations of the National Labor Relations Act, but not a single new penalty on unions or labor organizers.

“EFCA would have a particularly devastating impact on small employers who, as the primary source for new jobs, are counted on to reverse the current economic downturn.

“This bill is an awful idea in good economic times and a catastrophic idea in the difficult economic times now upon us.

“Do not vote for H.R. 1409, the Employee Free Choice Act.”