Tell U.S. Sen. Voinovich to Support Employee Free Choice Act

April 2, 2007 - America’s middle class is disappearing, good jobs are vanishing and health care coverage and retirement security are slipping out of reach. To get ahead economically, workers need the freedom to create and join unions – without interference from management.

After a resounding victory in the House, the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) is now in the Senate. Last week, Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) along with 46 cosponsors stood up for America’s working families by introducing this important legislation.

Please take a few minutes this week to call Sen. Voinovich. It's easy as 1 - 2 - 3.

1.) Dial 1-800-774-8941

2.) You will be asked for your zip code and will be connected to your Senator’s office.

3.) Urge Sen. Voinovich to support EFCA.

“My name is _______________ and I am a member of the union OCSEA / AFSCME Local 11.  I live and work in (your city, Ohio).  I am calling to urge Sen. Voinovich to support the Employee Free Choice Act, S 1041, to give working families an opportunity for a better life, to level the playing field between workers and employers and to help rebuild America's middle class.”

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.

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.

Why should public workers care about the Employee Free Choice Act?

The Employee Free Choice Act is very important to AFSCME and to all workers whether they work in the private or public sectors. 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.

See Related

Find out if your legislators are co-sponsors

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

10 Key Facts

Employee Free Choice Act on the AFL-CIO Website