I disagree with so many of these comments that I don't know where to begin so I will only address a couple key errors. Unions aren't a fad or a trend or something that ever goes out of style--in fact unions are becoming just as necessary as they were when the first organized so many years ago. Americans, by not objecting like we should have, have allowed our jobs to be outsourced at an incredible rate in the last five years and as a result the jobs that many of us depended on can be found in China, India, and other countries. The Federal Government played a role in this by allowing companies to take tax breaks for sending our jobs out to countries where workers are paid at rates that we wouldn't accept here. Workers are still injured on a regular basis in non-union worksites with little regard to OSHA and safety requirements that unions take VERY seriously. The ironic part about the comment regarding pay scales is that many upper management positions aren't usually filled by those that are most qualified or most educated, they are filled by those that are most useful or best connected. Businesses also don't fail because of being union organized, they fail because of poor bus

in the old days...getting all of those laws on the books now. Now they do nothing but hurt the economy by jacking up prices of products. GM is the largest purchaser of Viagra. Why? Because the health benefits for retired union workers. The price of the viagra adds 1,500.00 to EACH vehicle they sell to pay for it. So people buy other cars that are less expensive. A person pushing a broom does not need to make 20.00 an hour. There are low paying jobs, middle jobs and high paying jobs (usually for the ones that have an education and been there and know the business).
The unions time is past.

The guestion is should a union worker be allowed to have a secret ballot? The answer to that is yes. Absolutely! The two people below me were quick to point out how great the unions have been for the American worker, but forgot to mention all of the bad things they have done to people who disagreed. As well, you should have the option of whether or not you want to be in a union. In my particular work place the union is full of people who are completely worthless and get protected all of the time. Anyplace else and they would be on the street. I have no desire to be included in that band of misfits.

There are several misconceptions that your readers have concerning the Employee Free Choice Act. First,there are currently two methods in the National Labor Relations Act for union recognition. One is card check, that AT&T and Kaiser Permanente use and the secret ballot. Unfortunatly, the employer, not the worker selects the method of recognition and most employers pick the secret ballot so they can mount an anti-union campaign. Second, cards would have to be validated by the National Labor Relations Board. The idea of union intimidation is laughable when compared to companies firing workers and closing plants during organizing drives. Third, the global challenges that American businesses face in a global economy cannot be solved by a race to the bottom on wages and benefits. If the American worker is expected to compete with China and other developing countries by lowering pay and eliminating health care and pension benefits then we truly will create a generation that struggles to have a standard of living better than their parents. Unions are the only vechicle for workers to better their standard of living. As unions have grown weaker, wages have stagnated and the only thing that

Perhaps you need to get one of those high-paying, benefit laden jobs at Walmart buddy. That'll change your mind on the EFCA. If not, you deserve to work for nothing with crappy benefits.

If you think employer retaliations do not occur, you live in the Magic Kingdom @ Disney World.

If it weren't for unions, there would be no middle class, or what's left. Health care costs would be higher than they are now. Teachers would have to quit working when they become pregnant. There wouldn't be child labor laws. Employees would work longer hours for less pay. The minimum wage would not exist. Compared to men's wages, women would earn even less on the dollar than they do today and fewer would be in management.

Interestingly, the economy has declined as union membership has decreased.

You need to blame the decline of the auto industry and the current financial crisis on arrogant, short-sighted, greedy MANAGEMENT decisions and poor oversight by "elected politicians" and the apathetic public.

The most effective way to eliminate unions, or at least reduce their effectiveness, is to treat workers fairly and with respect and allow them to actively contribute to the decision making process.

I have no hatred of the unions but I agree with the writer on this one. Years ago I when I was younger, I was forced by peer pressure (and from the union)to sign an petition for a uhion in the place where I worked. However, although more than 75 percent of the workers signed up. When the secret ballet was done, more than 85 percent voted against a union. They expressed their true feelings then. There is no good reason to do away with the secret ballet. If the workers truly want a union, the secret ballet that is monitored by the federal government and not the company or the union will reflect that desire. By the way, the method by which to get rid of an unwanted union is far more difficult than getting a union to come into a work place.

Bob Farinelli

You believe in equal outcome, rather than equal opportunity.
You believe just showing up is the same as productive activity.
You believe that happiness is guaranteed, rather than simply the unfettered pursuit.
You obviously DON'T believe in freedom.

You love unions and call people who don't "scabs".

Unions are great-for intimidation, corruption and hey, look at all the good they've done for the big three automakers, huh??

American workers are facing great hardship as well. Wages are at risk and jobs are disappearing. Organization is the only tool workers have in our defense. Our ability to organize has been made increasingly difficult as laws are stacked to favor employers over employees. The Employee Free Choice Act is a good thing for wage earners.