The Employee Free Choice Act, commonly referred to as the EFCA, in the labor-union legislation that would propose an easier system that will enable employees to join, assist, or form labor organizations. It is commonly referred to as the card check legislation, and there are pros and cons to this.
List Of Pros of Employee Free Choice
1. Employees Can Initiate Union Easily
One of the pros to this act is that if more than 50% of the employees sign a blank card from an existing labor union, it would allow that union to be representative of the employees, which can be used as collective-bargaining with management.
2. Less Risk of Being Fired
Another pro is that if an employer is bound to have unlawfully fired an employee who is pro union, the employer would be responsible for three times the back pay of those employees. This means that many employers are going to think twice about firing anyone and have a significant reason to do so.
3. Balance Between Employees and Workforce
Many people also view the balance of power between corporations and their employees as a pro. Many large corporations are viewed as focusing on the business instead of their employees and the presence of unions would put the power back into the employees.
4. Favorably Supported by Many
The Employee Free Choice Act has been passed favorably throughout the house, which shows that many people are interested in having this protection within the union aspect.
List Of Cons of Employee Free Choice
1. Unions Have Control Over Elections
One of the cons, however of the card check provision is that employees rights are taken away because of the use of secret ballot elections in many instances. A person will not always be told as to what the union is representing or fighting for airing the election process, which means that a person is in the dark until the union chooses to disclose all of the materials.
2. To Much Chance of Lawsuit
Additionally, a con is that it would open up for too many lawsuits, many of which are likely going to be frivolous. A person could sue the union, the union could sue the government, a company, and much more. This means that a lot of issues could end up within the courtroom when they don’t belong there.
3. Depletes Competition in the Market
Yet another con of the act is that it depletes competitive means within the market. This could reduce the quality of service, the number of products, and even the efficiency of our top industries within the United States. There would be no motive for people to work harder or for companies to push themselves because the competitiveness and the ability to provide innovation would be lost. This means that the very building blocks of the US economy would be gone as a result of this act.
There are pros and cons, and because this is a government issue, it is also seen as a Republican versus Democratic choice.
