Batshit Bachmann Repeats Falsehoods About The Employee Free Choice Act

By Media Matters

On October 22, 2009, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) wrote a blog post at Townhall.com cheering the hold on National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) nominee Craig Becker.  In the post, Bachmann falsely claims that the Employee Free Choice Act would eliminate the secret-ballot option and lead to more worker intimidation.

The Employee Free Choice Act Does Not Eliminate The Secret-Ballot Option

Rep. Bachmann:

Mr. Becker, who is associate general counsel at the SEIU (Service Employees International Union), ACORN's Siamese-twin-like ally, is a staunch advocate for "card check," which would take away the secret ballot for American workers." [Townhall.com, 10/22/09]

NYT: "The Bill...Would Make It Easier For Workers To Join Unions." Rather than eliminating the right of workers to organize through secret-ballot elections, the Employee Free Choice Act gives workers the additional right to form unions through majority sign-up. As explained by the New York Times, "the bill...would make it easier for workers to join unions by requiring that employers recognize a union if a majority of employees at a workplace sign cards indicating they wish to organize." [New York Times, 12/29/09]

CSM: "The Proposed Law Gives Workers A Choice Of Forming A Union Through Majority Sign-Up ('Card Check') Or An Election By Secret Ballot." In an article on the Employee Free Choice Act, the Christian Science Monitor wrote: "The proposed law gives workers a choice of forming a union through majority sign-up ('card check') or an election by secret ballot. The current election process, governed by the National Labor Relations Board, strongly favors employers, unions say.  The bill also beefs up penalties for employers that discriminate against workers for their union-organizing activity, including treble back pay for workers found to have been illegally fired." [Christian Science Monitor, 3/11/09]...(Remainder.)