In a nutshell the Employee Free Choice Act gives workers the right to form a union through a union card check. Card checks allow workers a voice in union representation without the need of an election. Some companies recognize card checks as a statement for union representation, but right winged pro-business groups such as the “Workers Legal Defense Fund” challenge these agreements in court to cause division and roadblocks to a worker’s right to organize. The passage of this bill into law would make card checks a legal binding method of labor organization. The bill doesn’t replace union elections, because under the provisions of the bill workers can file for a union election anytime with 30% of the employees sign union cards. It simply gives workers an alternative to elections which can prove discriminatory toward employees who openly favor union representation.

While the victory in the House is call for celebration, the battle is far from over. The House vote came across party lines for the most part, with all but two Democrats voting in favor of the bill and thirteen Republicans voting yes. The Senate will prove a much tougher fight as the balance of power there is closer. We must keep pressure on our elected officials in the Senate to support this important legislation. Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, plans to introduce EFCA in the near future. The UAW will be working closely with him to round up support for this critically important legislation.

Here in Region 8 we must do our part to make certain this bill is passed into law. Remember, UAW members have already won the right to belong to a union. It is those millions of our brothers and sisters who don’t have union representation that need this bill. It is our duty, our responsibility, our fight to make it easier for every working class American to have the ability to organize and bargain collectively. Contact your Region 8 Senator today and ask them to sign on to support the Employee Free Choice Act.