http://cleveland.indymedia.org/news/2009/04/37310.phpOpen Letter to All Republican Senators on a Possible Employee Free Choice Act Compromise
by Employee Free Choice News Monday, Apr. 20, 2009 at 12:57 PM
By using my dual-purpose membership card as a universal card instead of using the current language under the present S.560 bill, there is no question anymore as to whether or not the Employee Free Choice Act 2009 eliminates “Secret Ballot” elections. Under my proposal it would not.
April 20, 2009
Via First-Class Mail
All Republican Senators
Senate Office Building
Washington DC 20510
Re: S. 560 and H.R. 1409 and Employee Free Choice Act 2009
Dear Senators:
I would like to introduce myself. My name is Steven Maritas. I am the Organizing Director for the International Union, Security, Police and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA), the largest, oldest and fastest growing 9(b) 3 union in the United States today.
SPFPA specializes in the representation of security police who are entrusted to protect high profile facilities such as the Pentagon, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Labor, Ronald Reagan Building, Disney, Cape Canaveral, NASA, nuclear facilities and many other state and federal facilities all across the United States.
Since there are only a few certifiable 9(b)(3) unions that can be certified by the National Labor Relations Board, SPFPA is at the forefront of the labor movement in regards to organizing security police officers nationwide. Most recently, the Bureau of National Affairs (BNA) had listed the SPFPA once again in the top 15 most active unions in respect to organizing in 2007, which is a record I am proud of and have maintained since becoming Organizing Director back in 2002.
The reason for more letter is twofold. One is to state that both the SPFPA International Union and myself are very much in support of passing S. 560 and H.R. 1409 and Employee Free Choice Act 2009 in its current form. However this can only be accomplished if at least one Republican Senator votes in favor of cloture in order to receive the 60 votes needed to end debate.
While I am very much aware that every Republican Senator at this time will not support bill S. 560 in its current form my first question to you is are you open to any sort of compromise? Yes or no.
My second question relates to the card check provision in bill S. 560. Both Republican Senators and big business continue to state that the Employee Free Choice Act 2009 in its current form (See below) would eliminate “Secret Ballot” elections, which I would disagree. However If the card check provision as a stand alone bill was reintroduced to clearly define an employees right to choose whether or not he or she wishes to choose between a “Secret Ballot” election or to waive their right to a “Secret Ballot” election would you be open to compromise to support such a bill?
FULL story at link.