Lincoln Pushes Final Nail Into EFCA's Coffin

[Lunar]

The votes don't exist anymore.  Welcome to your new world.


http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article.aspx?aID=113848.54928.125990

Lincoln Says She Will Vote Against Employee Free Choice Act
By Arkansas Business Staff
4/6/2009 1:18:01 PM




Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., told a Monday meeting of the Little Rock Political Animals Club that she will oppose the Employee Free Choice Act.

Lincoln's office said the senator will release a statement on the legislation this afternoon.

"I cannot support that bill," Lincoln said, according to one attendee. "Cannot support that bill in its current form. Cannot support and will not support moving it forward in its current form."

The measure, better known as the "card check" bill, has been fought by business groups and championed by labor, after intense lobbying by both factions.

The bill would amend the National Labor Relations Act to allow certification of a union if a majority of workers signed cards naming the union as their representative. The Free Choice Act has other important provisions, including tougher penalties on employers who are deemed to have engaged in unfair labor practices. But it does not require a secret ballot election.

Ricky Belk, secretary-treasurer of the Arkansas AFL-CIO, said Lincoln informed the union of her decision early Monday. Lincoln's decision did not come as a surprise, he said.

"My initial thought and response would be one of disappointment, because is is a right of workers that is needed," Belk said.

The Employee Free Choice Act would allow power to shift from corporations to workers, a shift that is needed considering the current economy, he said. About 80,000 Arkansans are members of unions, though not all are associated with the AFL-CIO, he said.

"We as unions will continue to encourage Lincoln to support a works write to form and join a union," Belk said.

The National Federation of Independent Business, an opponent of the bill, commended Lincoln for her decision. Dan Danner, president and CEO of the organization, said in a released statement that the "NFIB is grateful to have her support on this critical issue for small businesses."

Lincoln has been closely watched for her decision on whether to support the measure. Observers have said her vote on the matter would have a significant impact on the 2010 election.

[Holmes]

Well, what do you expect from Wal-Mart's representative in the Senate?

[Lunar]

Well, what do you expect from Wal-Mart's representative in the Senate?

Ask that question to the AFL-CIO, I would never vote for this bill either


edited title for spellin'

[Holmes]

It was a rhetorical question, anyone who's surprised at this "announcement" was too naive.

[Lunar]

It was a rhetorical question, anyone who's surprised at this "announcement" was too naive.

I'm reasonably surprised at a number of factors of this "announcement" including the initial delay, the bluntness of it all, and the source no I'm not surprised by that


Her opposition really makes it seem that a compromise (bumping up the percentage required by card-check, from 50% to 70%, for example) would not be acceptable.  I don't really know how moldable Snowe is but I suspect she can't be threatened with this bill either... not being up for election and all helps.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     Hooray for our side!

[© tweed]

make 'em talk for 30 hours

[Lief 🗽]

make 'em talk for 30 hours

Seriously. What the hell is Reid's problem? Obama made his support of the EFCA perfectly clear a number of times during the campaign, and he own by 10 million goddamn votes. We have 59 seats in the Senate. We have +80 or whatever seats in the House. Why the  do we have to pretend that these right-wing Republicans and their right-wing Democratic moderate hero hack allies are still relevant?

[Marokai Backbeat]

make 'em talk for 30 hours

Seriously. What the hell is Reid's problem? Obama made his support of the EFCA perfectly clear a number of times during the campaign, and he own by 10 million goddamn votes. We have 59 seats in the Senate. We have +80 or whatever seats in the House. Why the  do we have to pretend that these right-wing Republicans and their right-wing Democratic moderate hero hack allies are still relevant?

Took the words right out of my mouth.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

make 'em talk for 30 hours

If Reid had any balls, that's what he'd have them do.  Make them read the fucking phonebook.

[Associate Justice PiT]

make 'em talk for 30 hours

If Reid had any balls, that's what he'd have them do.  Make them read the fucking phonebook.

     Good thing he doesn't, I say.

[Rowan]

Yay, Lief them wants to pass a terrible bill so that the liberals can show how tough they are!

[Sensei]

make 'em talk for 30 hours

If Reid had any balls, that's what he'd have them do.  Make them read the fucking phonebook.

ANGRY CONSTINE

[Bandit3 the Worker]

It's a sad day when more Democrats support the Patriot Act than EFCA.

What the hell is their problem?

[Bandit3 the Worker]

Also, I think someone ought to organize a general strike that lasts until EFCA passes.

[Marokai Backbeat]

Its amusing how shameless the opposition to this is. All EFCA does is make it easier for unions to be organized. That's it. That is all.

There is no opposition to this other than "I hate unions."

[Bandit3 the Worker]

Bland Lincoln (the senator from Wal-Mart) should be kicked out of the Democratic Party.

[justfollowingtheelections]

    Hooray for our side!

I thought being a "Libertarian" (isn't that what the yellow avatar is for?) would make you support the freedom of workers to choose whether they want to join a union or not.  But I guess for the GOP and its "libertarian" supporters, it's only your own liberties that matter, and everyone else's liberties you couldn't care less about.

[TeePee4Prez]

Well we all know who she's working for...

[Kaine for Senate '18]

make 'em talk for 30 hours

If Reid had any balls, that's what he'd have them do.  Make them read the fucking phonebook.

ANGRY CONSTINE

I've actually really cut down on my swearing in the last few months.  I can only remember swearing twice since February.

[TeePee4Prez]

Can't we just.. oh I dunno cry for an "up or down" vote like the Republicans did with Alito and Roberts?

[Associate Justice PiT]

    Hooray for our side!

I thought being a "Libertarian" (isn't that what the yellow avatar is for?) would make you support the freedom of workers to choose whether they want to join a union or not.  But I guess for the GOP and its "libertarian" supporters, it's only your own liberties that matter, and everyone else's liberties you couldn't care less about.

     Perhaps if you consider having the ability to unionize more easily a civil liberty.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Can't we just.. oh I dunno cry for an "up or down" vote like the Republicans did with Alito and Roberts?

The center-right Democrats support up or down votes for their center-right agenda.

[Bandit3 the Worker]

     Perhaps if you consider having the ability to unionize more easily a civil liberty.

Isn't it?

[Kaine for Senate '18]

     Perhaps if you consider having the ability to unionize more easily a civil liberty.

Which I do.