Union thugs in Hawai'i seek to overthrow the democratic process of the secret ballot in favor of "card check". House Bill 2974, known as the "card check" bill, would allow unions to be recognized automatically in a small business whenever a majority of workers sign authorization cards. Mandating collective bargaining timelines and imposing binding arbitration in labor negotiations.
The bill does not allow secret ballots or independent supervision of the card-check process. There would be no way to determine if a worker signature was given either through intimidation, pressure or coercion from labor representatives or other employees.
If the bill were to pass, it would create a feeding frenzy by unions desperate for members and embolden them to harass workers for signatures. It would adversely impact Hawai'i delicate small business economy by driving up the cost of doing business.
Hawai'i's governor Linda Lingle vetoed the bill last week, but the bill's veto may be overridden by the House legislature. Many in the Hawai'i legislature have been bought off by the unions through campaign contributions. Only 12 brave lawmakers voted against the bill when it reached the governor's desk. It's an election year and the legislators are being pressured by the unions to override the governor's veto.
If it already wasn't difficult to do business in Hawai'i, then this will be even more difficult for those small businesses in agriculture, restaurants, bars, small retailers, nonprofit organizations, and any employees that work for a small business. The business community needs to be better involved in the process.
Good jobs are already hard to come by in Hawai'i. The recent shutdown of Aloha Airlines, ATA Airlines and the Cruise Ship industry in Hawai'i has already impacted the states economy. Moloka'i Ranch was shutdown by activists like the unions that seek to impose their will on the people in Hawai'i. Only for their own greedy reasons and not for the benefit of the people of Hawai'i.
It would be huge mistake for labor to gain more leverage in Hawai'i. Although union membership is on the decline in Hawai'i the state remains one of the most unionized in the nation at nearly 24 percent according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
"Maintaining the secret ballot is the fair, appropriate and democratic way to protect workers privacy..." - Gov. Linda Lingle
It is a disgrace that organized labor unions would strip workers of their right to secret ballots. It is un-American to deny workers of this fundamental privilege.
So, What's for Dinner?
Pan Seared Ahi Tuna over Asparagus Risotto
