Statement by Edward J. McElroy, President, American Federation of Teachers,
on Today’s Introduction of the Employee Free Choice Act in the Senate

Note: Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) introduced the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) in the U.S. Senate today. The House passed the bill 241-185 on March 1. The bill would amend national labor laws for private sector employees by: 1) strengthening penalties against companies that break the law when employees try to form unions; 2) establishing mediation and arbitration when a first contract can’t be reached; and 3) enabling employees to form unions when a majority signs union authorization cards.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—With today’s introduction of the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) in the U.S. Senate, millions of working Americans are a step closer to achieving fair wages, fair treatment and a voice on the job. The U.S. House of Representatives helped pave the way for this historic legislation when it passed EFCA earlier this month with strong bipartisan support. We look forward to a similar outcome in the Senate and applaud the leadership of Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and the growing number of senators co-sponsoring this legislation.

Many AFT members in the private sector, including nurses and other healthcare professionals, have faced massive employer resistance and multimillion-dollar, union-busting campaigns when they try to form a union and reach a first contract. EFCA would put an end to this kind of abuse and ensure that employees are able to exercise their right to form a union free from employer coercion and retaliation. Further, in the case of healthcare, hospitals that now spend lavishly on union-busting could more productively use these dollars to improve patient care.

All workers, not just those in the private sector, have a stake in this critical legislation. Fundamentally, EFCA is about strengthening and expanding America’s middle class. The bill recognizes that employees have a basic right to bargain for a better life, including fair wages, adequate healthcare and secure pensions.

Getting this bill through the Senate won’t be easy, as powerful interest groups are already spending and spinning furiously to block worker rights. All U.S. senators need to hear the real facts from their constituents: A vote for EFCA is a vote for a fair deal for working people, and its passage should be an immediate priority in the Senate.

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