Pro-union legislation continues discussion (Employee Free Choice Act)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.centralohio.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/BE/20080512/NEWS01/80512030/1002

By JOHN JARVIS
The Marion Star

MARION — A second reading of a resolution that would state support for federal pro-union legislation generated the most discussion at Marion City Council’s meeting Monday.

Ivan Stithem and Councilman Mike Thomas, current president and former president, respectively, of the Mid-Ohio AFL-CIO, emphasized that the resolution wouldn’t organize labor, but simply state council support for the Employee Free Choice Act; the legislation would allow workers to organize by signing cards in support of a union rather than by voting in a union election.

Stithem said organized labor is seeking such resolutions nationwide.
“It’s something that has to be done,” he said, citing statistics indicating that 60 percent of U.S. employees would like to be represented by a union.

Two employees of Kable Fulfillment Services Inc., Joe Hatcher and Pat VanSickle, asked council members not to vote on the resolution.

Kable, a magazine subscription service that once employed 280 individuals, is closing by July as the company moves the business’s work to other states.

“Employment is down with some potential jobs coming,” VanSickle said, referring to Marion Area Chamber of Commerce reports that two out-of-town companies are looking at Marion as the possible site for a call center, but might be discouraged if council OKs the resolution. “Do we want to take that chance? ... Council needs to look at all of the constituents and not just the union.”


FULL story at link.