McDonnell rails against 'card check' legislation

Calling it "bad for business," Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell today condemned the Employee Free Choice Act during a a conference call with reporters.

Introduced in Congress Tuesday, the federal legislation would allow workers to organize into unions without a secret ballot vote. Under its provisions, employees would be able to join unions by signing a membership form, hence the card check moniker.

"This is the most anti-jobs bill in decades," McDonnell said, noting the legislation could have harmful effects on Virginia's right to work law.

As written, the legislation would also give federal arbitrators the authority to enact contracts when companies are unable to reach an accord with unions during labor talks.

Also Tuesday, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling issued a statement critical of the legislation.

"The secret ballot has always been a very important part of elections in our country," Bolling said in a written statement. "To take that right away from workers would be a terrible mistake and it could result in widespread union activity unlike anything we've seen in the past."

McDonnell, who is running unopposed for the Republican nomination, challenged the three Democrats in the governor's race to take a stand against the measure.

The three men seeking the Democratic nomination for governor are state Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Bath; former Democratic National Committee chairman Terry McAuliffe; and former Alexandria Del. Brian Moran.

Bolling is seeking re-election this year, essentially running on the same ticket as McDonnell. Attorney Patrick Muldoon is challening Bolling for the GOP nomination.

Four Democrats are vying for their party 's lieutenant governor nomination.

-- Julian Walker

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