Sociology professor Daisy Rooks of the University of Montana put the Employee Free Choice Act in its proper perspective with her glowing endorsement atop the editorial page of The Missoulian.
Too often the forces against America's working families derail true debate by posing false -- but seemingly powerful and righteous -- concerns. Does Free Choice deprive workers of the secret ballot?
No. Under today's laws, the "secret ballot" requested by employers is a sham. It's a way for employers to intimidate and fire pro-union workers to rig the election.
But when pro-union voices are forced to halt and defend this important piece of legislation from that false charge, the anti-worker Right has effectively won that battle.
That's why academic Rooks' column is so great. It focuses on the true purpose of the Employee Free Choice Act, to improve workers' lives and working conditions. Free Choice doesn't just change the election process by making it more open and fair, it also provides for stiffer penalties for violations of workers' rights and for a fair process for new unions to reach a first process.
Rooks understands that it's all about the nuts-and-bolts of our democracy and our economic system. If working families fall behind, our economy fails. If our rights as employees are not protected, our democracy is failing us.
And she offers a solution: The Employee Free Choice Act:
We have a historic opportunity to both restore democracy in the workplace and rebuild the American middle class. The Employee Free Choice Act, currently under consideration by Congress, will restore workers' ability to decide whether and how to form a union -- either by secret ballot or majority sign up.... Without it, the American Dream and the American middle class will continue slipping out of reach of working Americans.
