Congresswoman Bachmann strongly opposes the Employee Free Choice Act, otherwise known as Card Check. She has stated that the legislation seeks to deny the secret ballot vote to workers. To counter the legislation, Congresswoman Bachmann has co-sponsored the Secret Ballot Protection Act.
Opposition to the EFCA
On March 1, 2008 Congresswoman Bachmann released a statement noting her opposition to and vote against the Employee Free Choice Act.
Bachmann Votes to Protect Workers Rights
Opposes Bill Eliminating Secret Ballot Elections
Washington, Mar 1, 2007 -
A bill deceptively called the, “Employee Free Choice Act,” passed the Democrat controlled House of Representatives today on a vote of 241-185. Congresswoman Michele Bachmann opposed the bill because it would eliminate the right to secret ballot elections for union employees.
Under current law, unions are formed through a federally-supervised private ballot election, much like last November’s election for members of Congress, or through a card-check system. The card-check system is the gathering of “authorization cards” by union bosses that are signed by workers claiming to want union representation.
The bill introduced by the Democrats would completely remove the option of a private ballot election and therefore leave employees open to harassment, intimidation and discrimination.
“The very foundation of our country is based on fair and private elections,” said Bachmann. “We’ve seen the recent decline in the number of union employees and this legislation is nothing more than protection for union bosses who are desperate to hang onto power at the expense of their employees. I stand on the side of the workers who oppose this employee intimidation bill.”
Tinklenberg / Bachmann Debate
In October of 2008, Congressman Bachmann participated in a debate with her opponent. When asked about her position on the Employee Free Choice Act, Congresswoman Bachmann expresses her opposition to the bill and her opinion that removes the right of the secret ballot.
Check Out Card Check
In November of 2008, Congresswoman Bachmann wrote an op-ed discussing her opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act.
Checking Out "Card Check" 11/24/2008 | Email Michele Bachmann | All Posts By Blogger
When the 111th Congress convenes in January, one of the first pieces of legislation Congressional leadership will bring to the floor is the Employee Free Choice Act, also known as "card check."
The House passed the bill last year 241 to 185 – over my opposition, but it was hung up in the Senate as the Democrats were unable to get the votes needed to pass it. Having made substantial gains in the House and Senate, "card check" is going to be a top priority in the new Congress. It's also another reason to keep your eyes on the outcome of the Senate races in Minnesota and Georgia. Democrat victories in both of those states likely means smooth sailing for the bill.
The Coalition for a Democratic Workplace has launched a nationwide campaign to educate the public on how dangerous this legislation really is. It eliminates the secret ballot for workers.
In states like Minnesota, they have launched individual websites. Check out My Private Ballot - Minnesota to learn more about "card check," and to find out how you can take action and stand up for worker's rights. Also, if you're a Sopranos fan, I think you'll get a kick out of who they have as spokesman for the campaign.
Secret Ballot Protection Act
In February of 2009, Congresswoman Bachmann released a statement noting her support for the Secret Ballot Protection Act.
Bachmann Supports Workers' Right to Secret Ballot Cosponsors Secret Ballot Protection Act
Washington, D.C., Feb 26, 2009 - Representative Michele Bachmann released the following statement upon the introduction of the Secret Ballot Protection Act, of which she is an original cosponsor. The legislation protects the right of American workers to have secret ballot elections in determining whether to unionize.
“To combat the threat of the Employee Free Choice Act and its attempt to deny an American the right to a secret ballot, I am proud to join my colleagues as a cosponsor of the Secret Ballot Protection Act. A worker’s vote must always be safeguarded against coercion and intimidation.
“The Employee Free Choice Act, supported by the Administration and labor unions, forces employees to make a decision about whether or not to support union organization right in front of their co-workers and right in front of the organizers. If union organizers collect enough cards from employees indicating interest in a union, the union would be certified. And, there’s more than ample anecdotal evidence about the use of coercion and intimidation in collecting those cards. The Secret Ballot Protection Act, if passed, ensures that unionization will never come about as a result of force or threats.
“The right to a secret ballot is one of the most cherished of American freedoms and it should always be protected. At a time when our government spends billions of dollars to advance and support free elections around the world, it makes no sense to abolish federally protected private ballots in our own workplace.”
Palmetto Freedom Forum
In August of 2011, Congresswoman Bachmann participated in the Palmetto Freedom Forum. She was asked about her view on a national right to work law and she states that she would support such a law. She speaks about her opposition to NLRB moves to prevent Boeing from moving to South Carolina. She states that she would not appoint anyone to the NLRB who did not respect the right to work.
Voting Record
The Employee Free Choice Act
In March of 2007, the House voted on passage of the Employee Free Choice Act. The legislation passed the House 241-185. Michele Bachmann voted against the Employee Free Choice Act.
Michele Bachmann voted against the Employee Free Choice Act.
Amends the National Labor Relations Act to make it an unfair labor practice for: (1) an employer to recognize or bargain collectively with a labor organization that has not been selected by a majority of the employees in a secret ballot election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board; and (2) a labor organization to cause or attempt to cause an employer to recognize or bargain collectively with a representative that has not been selected in such manner.
