packagePRINTING

You will be automatically redirected to packageprinting.com in 20 seconds.
Skip this advertisement.

Advertisement
Advertisement
 
 

PIA Issues Statement on the Employee Free Choice Act

March 2009
2
Washington, D.C.—The following is a statement from Printing Industries of America in response to the introduction of the Employee Free Choice Act in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives. The legislation would effectively strip workers’ rights to a federally-overseen, secret ballot election to determine union representation and also allows private contract terms to be set by government arbitrators.

“The inaptly named Employee Free Choice Act introduced today [March 10, 2009] effectively restricts workers’ rights to a secret ballot election option regarding union organization by replacing it with a “card check” system in which a worker’s position on unionization would be made public to management, union officials and co-workers. Replacing the secret ballot option with a “card check” system leaves workers vulnerable to coercion and intimidation during union organizing drives.

Equally concerning, the legislation would allow government arbitrators to impose contract terms on private sector employers and workers. Mandatory binding arbitration would lock printing and graphic communications companies and employees into wages, benefits, and other contract terms that would limit the industry’s ability to react in real time to market conditions.

During this time of economic distress for the American manufacturing sector—in particular, the printing and graphic communications industry—the Employee Free Choice Act is risky legislation.

According to Printing Industries of America’s most recent “Quarterly Print Market Survey,” employment in the industry fell 7 percent—equal to nearly 74,000 jobs—in 2008. An empirical assessment study of the economic implications of the Employee Free Choice Act conducted by Dr. Anne Layne-Farrar of the Law and Economics Consulting Group concluded that unemployment would be compounded by passage of the legislation. Dr. Layne-Farrar’s study estimates that within one year of passage, the Employee Free Choice Act would lead to a 5 to 10 percent increase in unionization, which, in turn, would lead to a one-half to three percent rise in private sector unemployment.

As Congress begins in earnest debate over the Employee Free Choice Act, Printing Industries of America will continue to urge opposition to the legislation so that workers’ rights and the freedom and flexibility afforded to private companies will be preserved.”


 

Companies Mentioned:
2

MORE ON BUSINESS MANAGEMENT >>

FROM THE BOOKSTORE

Whether it is a hard cover novel, a flyer in a retail store or your Sunday newspaper, behind every printed piece there are dozens of important decisions required to make sure it delivers the intended message. <i>Basics of Print Production</i> provides an overview of the steps required to make a creative concept into a printed piece, including: • Developing preliminary and final specifications for a print project • Determining the size and format for a printed piece • Acquiring, scanning, and proofing images • Building the print-ready digital mechanicals • Printing, binding, and finishing the piece • Packing and shipping the piece to its destination Being aware of the basics of a process helps everyone who is involved recognize the time and cost factors as well as the influence of each decision or step on the overall process. This book provides the reader with practical tips and guidelines on each step in the production process. Best Practices for Print Automation

Whether it is a hard cover novel, a flyer in a retail store or your Sunday newspaper, behind every printed piece there are dozens of important decisions required to make sure it delivers the intended message. Basics of Print Production provides an overview of the steps required to make a...

ORDER NOW

The graphic communications industry is facing some very serious challenges, but that doesn't mean there isn't still a lot of life and opportunity in our future. Competing for Print's Thriving Future focuses on how printers can create their own positive future by understanding and taking advantage of the emerging changes — the changes that are shaping the printing industry of today and tomorrow. Use the research, analysis, and forecasts in this book to: • Assess the changes taking place • Understand the changes • Design a plan to deal with the changes Topics include: • Economic forces, life cycle, and competitive position • Place in the national and global economies • Industry structure, cost structure, and profitability trends • Emerging market spaces--ancillary and print management services • Competitive strategies, tactics, and business models • Key practices of SuperPrinters • Combating foreign competition • Social network usage • A ten-step process to survive and thrive Competing for Print’s Thriving Future

The graphic communications industry is facing some very serious challenges, but that doesn't mean there isn't still a lot of life and opportunity in our future. Competing for Print's Thriving Future focuses on how printers can create their own positive future by understanding and taking advantage of the emerging changes...

ORDER NOW

 

COMMENTS

Click here to leave a comment...
Comment *
Most Recent Comments:
Keith - Posted on March 17, 2009
It would never be a "good" bill. WHY would you EVER need to replace a secret ballot? The secrect ballot is the most honest, private and democratic way of voting.
Gene - Posted on March 13, 2009
My understanding of this bill differs from your. This bill would give the employees the option to use a secret ballot or the card check system. If so, then it is a good bill.
Click here to view archived comments...
Archived Comments:
Keith - Posted on March 17, 2009
It would never be a "good" bill. WHY would you EVER need to replace a secret ballot? The secrect ballot is the most honest, private and democratic way of voting.
Gene - Posted on March 13, 2009
My understanding of this bill differs from your. This bill would give the employees the option to use a secret ballot or the card check system. If so, then it is a good bill.