Card Check Legislation Introduced in Congress

Last week, the "so-called" Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) was introduced in both the House and the Senate.  While H.R. 1409 had 223 cosponsors and S. 560 had 40 cosponsors, the total number of cosponsors was less than supporters had hoped, indicating that businesses and other groups in opposition are making a strong case to leaders on Capitol Hill.  AGC released a statement March 10 in response to the introduction of card check and announced that more than 10,000 AGC members had sent messages to Congress in opposition to the legislation.  That number has grown to over 14,000 in just three days. This bill would deprive millions of employees the right to a private vote when deciding whether or not to unionize.  It would hurt construction workers and make it very difficult for small construction companies to grow, hire or succeed.  This legislation would also lead to federally mandated employment terms for construction firms. Though most of the focus of this bill has been the impact on open shop employers and their employees, EFCA is also likely to have a negative effect on union contractors and their 8(f) "pre-hire agreements." Visit www.agc.org/efca to learn more about the impact of EFCA on union contractors. AGC strongly opposes this legislation.  Please continue to use AGC's Legislative Action Center to write and let your Members of Congress know your opposition to EFCA.  The Senators in Colorado, Louisiana, Arkansas, Virginia, Nebraska and North Carolina are considered key in stopping EFCA from moving forward, but all Members of Congress need to hear from you.  It is important to stress to your Senators that it is not enough just to oppose the bill, but to oppose any procedural votes such as cloture votes on EFCA.