Interview w/ Ken Mass, President of the Nebraska AFL-CIO

[Omaha Steve]

http://nenetroots.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=52

by: Mike Nellis
Tue Mar 17, 2009 at 13:48:13 PM CDT

As the battle over the Employee Free Choice Act heats up, we can fully expect Nebraska's labor unions to dive into the fight. One of the most vocal leaders you'll see in 2009 is AFL-CIO President Ken Mass. I had a few moments to speak with Mr. Mass early yesterday morning.

Ken Mass Thank you for taking the time to talk with me.

Thank you, Mike.

You're a pretty well known commodity in Nebraska politics, but I'd like to start by asking you to tell us a little bit about your background as a labor leader in Nebraska. Who is Ken Mass?

Well, I am a 40 year member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. I come out of the manufacturing area of the Old West Electric plant.

I got involved in union work in 1974 through being an Executive officer of my local and then I ran for Business Manager and President in 1983. Then in 1985, I came into the state AFL-CIO as Secretary-Treasurer until 1999 when Gordon McDonald retired and I was appointed by the Executive Board to replace him as President.

Obviously, the dominant issue for unions in 2009 centers around the Employee Free Choice Act which has quickly become the most divisive issue in Washington. Why is the Employee Free Choice Act so important and what benefit would it have for Nebraska?


Ken Mass

Passing the Employee Free Choice Act is crucial to building an economy that works for everyone. It is an opportunity for employees to come into the middle class by giving them a stronger voice at the work place. It will allow them to fight for wages, benefits, job securities, and other things important to workers.

Right now, if you want to form a union you contact international, they form a committee, and that committee builds the support for the union. After they have reached at least 51%, the employer is contacted for recognition.

At that time the employer can say, "Nope. We're not gonna do that..." and they decide to go through an election by the National Labor Relations Board. The Board comes in and holds an election. That's when the employer will meet with the employee one on one at the job site and that's where the intimidation comes in.

That's the reason for the Employee Free Choice Act. EFCA will give those employees an option -- a choice -- between majority sign-up or to request the NLRB election.

FULL story at link.