A bill that will be potentially very detrimental to businesses throughout North Carolina has been introduced in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate.  The Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) or Card Check, as it more commonly known, will allow union organizers to pursue collection of signed cards from a majority of a company's employees.  After these cards are collected, all of the company's workers would be forced to join the union without a vote.  The EFCA also states that if an employer and the newly formed union are unable to reach agreement on the first contract within 90 days, it can be referred to a federal bureaucrat for mediation.  After 30 days of mediation, the dispute will be referred to arbitration.  The results of arbitration will be binding for two years.  The EFCA also increases penalties on employers, but not unions that engage in unfair labor practices during organization drives.

The State Governmental Affairs Committee members feel very strongly that this legislation would be bad for business and inhibit economic growth and recovery.  The item was discussed at the Chamber's Executive Committee meeting on March 25, and members agreed with the State Governmental Affairs Committee.  The Chamber's name will be added to the letter sent by the US Chamber, and members are encouraged to contact elected officials to urge them to vote against the Employee Free Choice Act.  Sample letters are available here:

Sample letter for employee writing on behalf of company

Sample letter for small business owner


Elected Official Contact Information:

The Honorable Kay Hagan
US Senate
B40A Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington D.C.20510
http://hagan.senate.gov/

The Honorable Richard Burr
US Senate
217 Russell Senate Building
Washington D.C. 20510
Fax: (202) 228-2981
http://burr.senate.gov/ (go to Contact)