Democratic Senators: Mess With EFCA, Face A Primary

[Earth Bound Misfit]

Huff Po: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jonathan-tasini/democratic-senators-mess_b_173423.html

Jonathan Tasini
Posted March 10, 2009 | 09:34 AM (EST)

If you believe that a society cannot be truly democratic without a strong labor movement, and if you believe that the only way to build a fair economy is by making sure people can belong to unions, then, this is where a line must be drawn: Democratic Senators who block or undercut the Employee Free Choice Act should face well-funded primary challenges.

Today, Tom Harkin (D-IA), a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, and George Miller (D-CA), the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, will announce that they are introducing EFCA. There is no doubt that EFCA will pass the Congress and reach the president's desk. The question, in my mind, is: what will the bill say? Will it bear any resemblance to the version Miller and Harkin are introducing? Or will it be watered down? And that's where the primary threat comes in (by the way, I will be on CNBC today at 11:30 Eastern time to discuss EFCA)

snip

Here is what should concern us. I doubt any Democratic Senator will say "I oppose EFCA". What you will hear is something along the lines, "I think unions are good but there needs to be a balance between the interests of workers and business and the following amendment makes sure there is a balance..." and, not publicly, "thank you, Chamber of Commerce, you can now write out the PAC check for my next campaign..."

snip

"Sen. Landrieu is carefully reviewing the issue. She understands that it is a heated debate and wants to make an informed decision," said a Landrieu spokeswoman, adding that her boss's calendar brimmed with card check meetings this week. "Part of that process is actively meeting with interested groups on both sides. Sen. Landrieu is also reviewing the proposed bill."


That last part is critical: Landrieu reviewing the proposed bill? She is listed as a CO-SPONSOR of the bill. And that's part of the calculation: when the Democratic Senate caucus was much smaller before the last cycle, a few senators like Landrieu saw no harm in listing themselves as a co-sponsor under the theory that they could still get labor's campaign money and support, without having to vote on the bill because it had no chance of even coming up for a final passage vote.

Ok, so, now about the primary. I guess I'd start by saying that I think primaries are very good things to have--primaries are the place that a party defines its soul and direction. So, if need be, let's have the debate in a primary over these issues:

The only way for our country to recover from a collapse in wages over the past three decades is to have a strong labor movement. By every measure, union workers do better than non-union workers. Sen X, you just voted to cripple legislation that would have restored a decent standard of living for working Americans. Why do you deserve another term?

Sen. X, we have seen the greatest divide between rich and poor in generations. You voted to cripple legislation that would have brought America back to be a more fair society for all your constituents. Why do you deserve another term?

Sen. X, you call yourself a "loyal Democrat". Yet, you undermined the very legislation that would have built one of the party's key constituencies--working people who belong to unions who vote overwhelmingly for the Democratic Party's candidates. Why should the party put you back in office when you undercut its power?

I'd also say that if Harry Reid does not make EFCA a priority--meaning, demanding that the caucus be unified and fight as one--it might not hurt to field a primary challenge to him.

So, let the waverers beware: support EFCA, fight for it and defend it... or face the prospect of cashing in that chit for a job as a corporate lobbyist.

The 13 Democratic Party Senators who HAVE NOT co-sponsored the bill:

Bennet (D-CO)
Burris (D-IL)
Gillibrand (D-NY)
Hagan (D-NC)
Kaufman (D-DE)
Lincoln (D-AR)
Merkley (D-OR)
Nelson (D-NE)
Pryor (D-AR)
Shaheen (D-NH)
Udall (D-CO)
Udall (D-NM)
Warner (D-VA)

[Juche]

1. Lets be fair about those 13 senators

About 10 of them only became senators in the last 2 months. And several of them have come out in support of EFCA.

[Donnachaidh]

2. so which ones have come out in favor of it?

In all seriousness, do you have a link?

[Earth Bound Misfit]

3. Here's what I've come up with so far...

Sen. Michael Bennet Can't Say If He Supports The Employee Free Choice Act
http://www.mydd.com/story/2009/3/2/62216/08618
http://colorado.mediamatters.org/items/200903100002

Organized labor mad at Burris over union legislation
http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2009/02/organized-labor-mad-at-burris-over-.html

Sen.-Designate Gillibrand Supports Employee Free Choice Act
http://blog.aflcio.org/2009/01/26/sen-designate-gillibrand-supports-employee-free-choice-act/

Business groups press Hagan to oppose union 'card check’
http://www.news-record.com/content/2009/02/16/article/business_groups_press_hagan_to_oppose_union_card_check

...Hagan replaced Elizabeth Dole, a Republican who was firmly against the measure. Also worth noting: Labor unions gave Hagan more than $250,000 in support in her bid to unseat Dole.

As for Hagan, she doesn’t seem to be shifting her stance. Hagan spokesman Dave Hoffman said that she still supports the measure after meeting with groups on both sides.

“The Employee Free Choice Act simply allows employees, not the employers, to decide if and how they would like to organize at their workplace,” Hoffman said. “Sen. Hagan supports EFCA as a way to level the playing field for families, and she continues to support the measure that was voted on last Congress.

She will also push for reasonable changes to the National Labor Relations Act, such as modifications to bring the procedures for decertifications in line with the process for union certifications, in order to maintain a level playing field.”

Can't find anything on Kaufman

Lincoln & Pryor: Wal-Mart--Nuff said.

Senator Merkley announced today he is co-sponsoring the bill: :) http://www.mydd.com/story/2009/3/10/195821/861

Oregon's Senator Jeff Merkley today co-sponsored legislation to make it easier for workers to bargain collectively at their jobs. The Employee Free Choice Act would streamline the process for forming a union and empower workers.

Nelson (Ne) Opposes EFCA
I posted a thread on this: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=367&topic_id=18103&mesg_id=18103


Gotta get some sleep, I'll look for Shaheen, both Udalls & Warner in the morning.

[Earth Bound Misfit]

5. According to this blog, Shaheen & Tom Udall (NM) are co-sponsors

& the "other replacement" Senators have "indicated" they would vote for the bill.

...there are 8 right-wing Republican union-bashers who were either defeated or retired in 2008-- Wayne Allard (CO), Norm Coleman (MN), Elizabeth Dole (NC), Pete Domenici (NM), Gordon Smith (OR), Ted Stevens (AK), John Sununu (NH) and John Warner (VA)-- all of whom opposed Employee Free Choice. Four of them have been replaced by Democrats who are now co-sponsors of the bill, Tom Udall (D-NM), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Mark Begich (D-AK) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH). The other Democratic replacements have all indicated that they would also vote for the bill.
http://downwithtyranny.blogspot.com/2009/03/will-obama-get-opportunity-to-sign.html

Mark Udall (Co) has said "it isn't perfect" & (if elected) "I'm gonna stand up for working people"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6QIEYoPFkY
In this video he indicates he has "concerns" about binding arbitration & again states "it's far from perfect": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNsInImVttE

Doesn't sound like he'll support the bill as it's written, but will if it's "watered down", IMHO.

Bennet, Lincoln Pryor & Nelson (Ne) have been "targeted" by anti-EFCA groups, and have left themselves "wiggle room" as to how they will vote.

Does anyone have any info on Kaufman?

[Juche]

7. Kaufman is a cosponsor of EFCA

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s111-560
Senate - Employee Free Choice Act co-sponsors

Sen. Edward Kaufman

[Earth Bound Misfit]

8. Thank you n/t

[Juche]

9. Several of the 13 democrats cosponsor S560

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s111-560

Burris, Kaufman, Udall-NM, Shaheen, Gillibrand, Nelson, Merkeley are all cosponsors of S560. That only leaves:



Bennet (D-CO)


Hagan (D-NC)

Lincoln (D-AR)


Pryor (D-AR)

Udall (D-CO)

Warner (D-VA)

[Earth Bound Misfit]

10. Bookmarked. Thanks again...

For posting this, and the links.

:headbang: :hi:

[Omaha Steve]

4. K&R #5

Great post.

[pberq]

6. Kick!!

[quiller4]

11. Your list of 13 is out of date

As of Friday March 13 Gillibrand, Shaheen and both Udalls had signed on as co-sponsors. Merkley and Hagan have announced support but aren't yet listed as a sponsor.

[Earth Bound Misfit]

12. The bill introduced March 10th (S. 560) has 40 co-sponsors

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=s111-560

The 18 Dems who are not listed as co-sponsors:

Baucus (D-MT)
Bayh (D-IN)
Bennet (D-CO)
Bingaman (D-NM)
Conrad (D-ND)
Dorgan (D-ND)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Hagan (D-NC)
Kohl (D-WI)
Landrieu (D-LA)
Lincoln (D-AR)
McCaskill (D-MO)
Nelson (D-NE)
Pryor (D-AR)
Tester (D-MT)
Udall (D-CO)
Warner (D-VA)
Webb (D-VA)