Labor secretary leaves card check up to Congress

Published Tuesday, April 21, 2009 | 1:05 p.m.

Updated Tuesday, April 21, 2009 | 4:14 p.m.

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WASHINGTON -- Labor Secretary Hilda Solis supports the Employee Free Choice Act, a spokeswoman clarified today, even as she is leaving to Congress the best way to proceed on the thorny issue.

“She supports EFCA, has supported EFCA and will support whatever action Congress can ultimately take to restore balance and make it easier for workers to form unions and increase wages,” a Labor spokeswoman said. "She believes that unions help grow the middle class."

Solis was on the Hill today in one of her first appearances since a prolonged confirmation process.

During her confirmation hearing, Solis declined to provide an opinion on the so-called card check issue, frustrating Republicans who largely oppose the measure.

The legislation would make it easier for unions to organize and is staunchly opposed by the business community.

Solis’ support for an earlier version of the bill as a congresswoman fueled scrutiny of her nomination as Labor secretary. She served on the board of a main advocacy organization.

Solis said today the details will be for Congress to decide.

“The president and I are supportive that people have the ability to bargain collectively if they choose to be part of the union, the president and I agree with that,” she told reporters after a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing. “But in terms of what the product will look like that’s entirely up to the Senate and the House.”

She added, “That will be a Senate and congressional decision because they’re the ones that are going to decide the end product.”

Solis recently appeared on the “The Rachel Maddow Show” and discussed the bill.

“The president and I are on record in support of this legislation -- I as a former member of Congress, he as a former senator. But he continues, as I do, to believe that this is a good bill and we would hope to see it passed,” Solis said on the show.

The issue may be moot. Several key senators have dropped their support for the bill, slimming its chances of passage. However, some senators are working on alternatives, hoping to broker a compromise.

Discussion: 5 comments so far…

By Future

4/21/09 at 2:21 p.m.

Suggest removal

Harry Reid loses another one
By EFCANOW

4/21/09 at 3:17 p.m.

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Stern Considers Alternatives to EFCA

The Washington Post

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2009...

Speaking to The Post's editorial board, Stern noted that there are ways to try to level the playing field in union elections without giving workers a way around the secret ballot requirement, such as shortening the window before elections are held -- thus giving employers less time to pressure workers -- and stiffening penalties for employer violations.

"We are on the hunt for a solution," he said. "No matter what you do, you have to change the election process. Whether it's majority sign up or not, workers have to have a choice about having an election. The bill has to address ... fast elections, eliminating employer behavior and what happens if there are employer violations. Regardless, that needs to be done."

EFCA Thinking Outside of The Box to Get The Employee Free Choice Act Passed!

http://efcanow.blogspot.com/2009/03/thin...

Amending The Employee Free Choice Act. A Compromise Every Union Can Live With.

http://efcanow.blogspot.com/2009/01/amen...

EFCA A Reform Movement Has Just Been Formed:The Employee Free Choice Act Labor Reform Movement

http://efcanow.blogspot.com/
By Retiree

4/21/09 at 5:43 p.m.

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I believe the process of union elections needs to be done in a more timely manner. I disagree totally with the card check process. In my experience the only people who really needed unions were those that didn't want fulfill their obligations and job requirements.
By dave202

4/21/09 at 9:59 p.m.

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Another Obama liar. She's not a tax cheat but lied during the confirmation hearings. Another far left winger who wants to bring down the country.
By mbiskar

4/21/09 at 10 p.m.

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Indianapolis hotel workers are currently engaged in a struggle of historic proportions. The Employee Free Choice Act is not just being fought for in the Senate and House Chambers in Washington, but in the streets of Indy, where huge majorities of hotel workers at the Westin, Hyatt, and Sheraton hotels are demanding that the corporations respect their right to a fair process. The passage of EFCA would give these workers the union. Here is a video about their struggle:

http://gallery.mac.com/lynfilm#100093/Ra...