Media Twice Mistaken on Middle Class Measure

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.openleft.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=9151

by: Michael Whitney

Twice this week two major media outlets proved themselves mistaken on the Employee Free Choice Act - let's take a look at CNN and USA Today's misrepresentations of this important bill. For those not in the know, the Employee Free Choice Act is a bill supported by virtually every Democrat and some Republicans; it would remove barriers for people who want to join unions at work by embracing the democratic principle of "majority sign-up."

In a blog post and brief TV segment this week, CNN published a "fact check" on a line in John McCain's new stump speech in which he claims Barack Obama wants to "take away your right to vote by secret ballot in labor elections." CNN's "fact check" says that McCain's claim is true. Except they're just as wrong as McCain.

Let's fact check the fact check.

McCain is referring to a plan supported by labor unions. Currently, workers must get at least 30 percent of their colleagues to sign an authorization form to ask for union representation - then hold a secret-ballot vote to finalize it. The change Obama supports would let a union be recognized by the National Labor Relations Board immediately after the majority signs the authorization.

That's all true - except their explanation of the bill stops there. CNN neglects to mention that if union members want to vote by secret ballot, they can still do so. Their rights to a secret ballot are in tact; if the workers want to have a vote, they can have one. What Obama supports is opening this second option for people who know they want a union to get their union - giving those people a Free Choice. CNN's "fact check" is wrong, and McCain's assertion is patently false. CNN should retract their embarrassing "fact check."

Next up, USA Today. Today, America's most colorful newspaper opined against the Employee Free Choice Act in an editorial titled "No way to form a union." And they're correct! In America today, there is essentially "no way to form a union." Unfortunately, that's not the thrust of their editorial.

USA Today's opinion on the Employee Free Choice Act is that opening up another way for workers to join unions "undermines democratic principles," fretting about "peer pressure" as a consequence of the legislation. The paper writes:

A win for Obama and big gains for Senate Democrats could remove the remaining obstacles to the euphemistically named "Employee Free Choice Act." Cajoled choice is more like it. The proposed change would give unions and pro-union employees more incentive to use peer pressure, or worse, to persuade reluctant workers to sign their cards.

I'm not sure what's euphemistic about "Employee Free Choice Act," as the bill gives employees a free choice to form a union, something they don't have now. So let's look at why people want to join unions, and why their rights to do so should be protected at all costs.

FULL story at link.