There is talk of a compromise or seeking a 'third way' on EFCA proposed by some companies...
I think the opening line of the article is interesting
One day after the Wall Street Journal admitted that the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) "The bill doesn't remove the secret-ballot option from the National Labor Relations Act," - Starbucks Corp. and other companies are exploring alternatives to a bill that would make it easier for workers to unionize, but the idea of any compromise drew the wrath of business groups lobbying furiously to defeat the measure.
Uh oh! the corporatist groups are not happy over people learning the truth of what EFCA is.
"We have had conversations with like-minded companies and are open to exploring alternative solutions to the legislation as it is currently written," Starbucks spokeswoman Deb Trevino said.
Part of the plan according to the AP
Starbucks, Costco and Whole Foods would let management keep the right to secret ballot elections and would not include binding arbitration. But the companies' plan also expands penalties, allows unions access to employees during nonworking hours and mandates a fixed time for elections so companies can't delay the process.
Congressman George Miller and Senator Tom Harkin two Democrats who actually give a damn about workers and unions called the corporate compromise "unacceptable"
"This proposal is unacceptable. It was written by CEOs for CEOs. It is not a serious attempt at labor law reform because it fails to fundamentally address key problems that currently prevent workers from being able to join together and bargain for a better life,
Over at the Nation magazine Christopher Hayes writes
Labor also sees EFCA as a black and white issue and is eager to take away the middle ground. Acuff says the fundamental question is, "Are you for unions or are you against unions? If you're against this legislation, you're against unions. You can't say you're for unions if you don't think workers should be able to form unions without fear of retaliation."
Sometime in the next few months, every Democratic elected official is going to have to answer a very old question that in a post-meltdown world is newly resonant: Which side are you on?
I've had enough of third way rhetoric to last a life time. To me 'third way' reminds me of the bland corporate centrism of the DLC and Clinton years. Yes, DLC Democrats love Unions when they are running for office and need support and money but once in office they give unions the cold shoulder- (see Mary Landrieau or Mark Udall).
I really wish Democrats could just force a simple majority for the Employee Free Choice Act? If Republicans and conservadems really want to vote against EFCA--- unions should offer no future support to any elected official who votes against it....