EFCA Notes

Gallup has been polling the popularity of unions since the 1930s. Generally speaking, unions poll favorably well. They peaked at about a 75 percent approval rating in the late-1950s, but have held steady with around 60 percent or more of Americans approving until this latest poll.

In fact, just one year ago 59 percent of Americans gave unions the thumbs up. Today, they have hit an all-time low of 48 percent (see the poll results here). While approval from Republicans and Democrats have seen modest drops, Independents support of labor fell nearly 20 point in the course of the year (from 63 to 44 percent).

Further, Americans are split on the question of whether unions hurt the economy. Just five years ago, an overwhelming majority thought unions were a good thing. That is not the case today. Gallup noted that unions popularity took a hit in light of the US auto industry collapse.

I would also argue that there is somewhat of a backlash forming against unions for the simple fact that we have a president who is unapologetic in his never-ending support for them. There is a perception that they are getting special preference, while everyday Americans (the 88 percent who don’t carry a union card) are being hung out to dry.

And finally, I see the large drop of support among Independents as a sign that EFCA is not too popular. This is the centerpiece of today’s labor movement (although healthcare has taken a lot of their attention). This is the biggest labor issue in years, and I don’t think it’s a coincidence that there approval is going down at the same time.

Labor Leader OKs EFCA Compromise

Richard Trumka, the incoming AFL-CIO president, has apparently given the green light to an EFCA compromise without the card check provision:

In tacit acknowledgement of what it will take to get the bill (EFCA) moving again in Congress, the union leader showed far more flexibility (than healthcare). He told reporters that a compromise bill currently being negotiated by moderate Democrats in the Senate would be acceptable even if it didn't include the controversial “card check” option that would let workers opt for a union simply by signing off on a card.

In a significant concession to the demands of business, he said the AFL-CIO would back a bill even if it allowed employers to require a secret ballot election before a union can be certified, as is required under existing law. Including the controversial
card-check provision “may or may not be” critical to the union, Trumka said.

I think it is significant that Trumka is openly admitting this. He still holds out hope that a bill will pass soon, but he might want to check with the Senate Majority Leader on that.

No Republican Support

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) recently told reporters that no Republicans will support EFCA as it currently stands. He did make a point of saying that they would not “support legislation that would allow workers to join a union by signing cards instead of voting in a secret-ballot election.”

Of course, card check looks like it would not be part of a compromise, and McConnell did not touch on that. It would be interesting to know if any moderate or union state Republicans would back the compromise.