Beware Of The Election Payback to Unions.

With the re-election of President Obama and the Democratic party to the Senate in this years political cycle there will be a number of special interest groups who will be standing in line to recieve the pay back due them for their support and loyalty.

 

Business leaders will be looking at how to protect themselves against more intrusive government regulations and tax policies that will continue to drive businesses to play defense rather than take an offensive position. The class warfare between the imagined "fat cats" and the middle class will continue to move full speed ahead with total support from the White House and the lap dog news media.

 

There will be one group in particular who will be going after the big bucks, because they spent millions of dollars getting their guys back in office...Labor Unions. Not the Labor Unions of the 40's but a big business organization who are dependent on union dues from the little guys to pad the pockets of the real "Fat Cats" i.e., union bosses and politicians. There is little about unions today that are interested in the success of the organizations their members work for, just ask Hostess Bakery, Eastern Airlines, public sector workers in Greece, Spain and Italy.

 

But be on-guard organizational leaders. We have a very illiterate work force when it comes to economic knowledge and understanding and we are employing people who think socialism is not a bad idea.

 

There are three things you must do.
 

1.) Be informed yourself on these specific issues.
 

A) The Employee Free Choice Act. This legislation would give workers a direct path to form unions through majority sign up and NOT through elections as we have known in the past. This fast tracking of union organizations will catch many employers "flat footed."

 

B) After watching this administration dismantle, go around and disregard the legislative process I am convinced that their big prize will be the undoing of the Taft-Hartley Act. A right to work law guarantees that no person can be compelled, as a condition of employment, to join or not to join, nor to pay dues to a labor union. Section 14(b) of the Taft-Hartley Act affirms the right of states to enact Right to Work laws. There are presently 23 right to work states, with Michigan soon to become #24, thanks to Republican legislators and Governors who value the growth of their states more than the fall out from union thugs.

 

2.) Educate your employees. A few weeks ago I spent time on 3rd shift talking with employees who's management team almost never talk with or even realize their existence other than nightly production numbers reported in. When I ask the group how we, as a company, could help them one person boldly said "yeah, help us get a union in here!" He is not the first person I've talked with who is totally uninformed about the free enterprise system or the capitalistic foundation which built this great country. Talking to your people does not have to be a "in your face" discussion, but rather a meaningful dialogue. I will never forget my plea to Greek Public Sector Unions years ago in Athens, to engage with management to protect jobs for the long haul. I made my case in Cyprus as well. When people allow others to "think" for them i.e. union leaders and media, it's a dangerous proposition.

 

3.) Stay on your Senators and Representatives in your State. Let them know you are aware of ALL issues that affect business, labor laws and affect economic or business growth. We live a divided country, but make it clear what side you "stand on."