Free Choice
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Why should public employee union members care about EFCA?

The Employee Free Choice Act is very important to OCSEA / AFSCME Local 11 and to all workers whether they work in the private or public sectors. Review the 10 Key Facts.

Increasing the number of union members will strengthen the power of all workers in the workplace and the political arena. In addition, with increased unionization in the private sector, wages and benefits will increase, which reduces the advantage of privatizing public services.

However, employees are fired in 25 percent of union organizing campaigns, 78 percent of employers deliver anti-union propaganda to workers who try to unionize, and after workers form a union, 33 percent are unable to get a contract—we need to protect workers' rights to unionize.

The Employee Free Choice Act would:

• Strengthen penalties for companies that coerce or intimidate workers;

• Establish mediation and binding arbitration when the employer and workers cannot agree on a first contract; and

• Enable workers to form unions when a majority signs union authorization cards.

Allowing working people to choose for themselves whether to have a union is the key step toward rebuilding America’s middle class. Union membership brings better wages and benefits and a real voice on the job.

Take Action

1 - Sign Online Petition

2 - Spread Word: Encourage others to take action

3 - Do More: Help Labor reach our one million signature goal by putting a banner on your blog, website, MySpace page or other online home.

See Related

10 Key Facts

Website of the AFL-CIO on the
Employee Free Choice Act

Website of the Ohio AFL-CIO

Find out if your legislators are co-sponsors

One union member's story on the union difference (PDF)