Boozman Votes for Workers' Rights

Boozman Votes for Workers' Rights

U.S. Representative John Boozman (R-AR) today voted to protect the freedom of a secret ballot and to shield workers from undue intimidation by voting against H.R. 800, the "Employee Free Choice Act."

The legislation would strip away the right to a secret ballot of workers, allow union representatives to collect signatures to certify the union, and take away the right of organized workers to vote on their own collectively-bargained contracts.

"The secret ballot is a fundamental right of all Americans and, today, we saw how easily that right can be sacrificed on the altar of special interests - namely, Big Unions," Boozman said. "Despite the name given this bill, there is actually no free choice presented to employees since their choice will now be a public one made in front of a union representative."

H.R. 800 also toughens penalties on intimidation by employers, but does not penalize unions for similar intimidation practices.

"No worker should be subject to intimidation under any circumstance. This bill, however, does nothing to protect workers from intimidation from union organizers who happen to be in charge of gathering signatures to organize," Boozman said. "The lack of privacy and protection of workers from intimidation is something I cannot support."

http://www.boozman.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=59459