Updated March 25, 2009
Card Check Process Used by Union Organizers Ignites Fury at Indiana Plant
FOXNews.com
Union organizers are going to great lengths to get new members -- including harassing and intimidating company employees until they vote to join.
A bill working its way through Congress that changes how employees can create and join unions is facing tough criticism from workers who say it gives unions the green light to use aggressive tactics to get them to sign up.
The Employee Free Choice Act -- known in Congress as the "card check" bill -- calls for an easier system to allow employees to form, join, or assist labor organizations. Under the bill, employees can request blank cards from existing unions that employees can sign to express interest in joining the union. If 30 percent of employees sign the cards, companies can hold secret-ballot elections to decide on unionization.
But workers at the Dana Corporation Auto Parts plant in Albion, Ind., say the card check process has nearly torn the 50-person plant apart after harassment and intimidation from the United Auto Workers union forced them to a secret-ballot vote.
A union organizer came to the plant two years ago to ask employees to join the UAW because the company had signed a neutrality agreement with the union.
The meeting, however, did not go well, according to plant employee Larry Guest.
"He was using real rough language -- cursing. It didn't go over well with the women at all. There were a couple that just got up and left," Guest told FOX News.
Employees said union representatives approached them in the break room, at the plant doors and even followed them to their cars.
"He was just like an itch that you couldn't scratch. He just wouldn't go away," said employee Rita Murphy.
"After a while we realized he was going to be here morning, noon and night until he got his numbers that he needed," said Betty Pop.
Dana employee Jamie Oliver told FOX News that she was approached at her home.
"We're here in a little town and we're a plant of 50 some people -- you know the last thing you need is to have the union coming to your door saying I want your name," Oliver said.
The union's relentless approach, she said, eventually wore her down.
"When they approach you every day -- every day, every day," she said, "after a while it's like 'Okay. Fine. I'll sign the card.'"
The UAW collected the necessary signatures, but plant employees appealed to the National Labor Relations Board that ruled the employees could hold a secret election.
"When they held the election, there was no more union," said Guest. "Although it was close."
Now, employees say, the forced choice has turned friend into foe, causing some employees to be threatened by coworkers who had wanted the union.
One employee said she was threatened for her choice.
"I have my reasons for the way that I voted. That's nobody else's business, and had it not been for the card check, nobody would know if I was for or against," said Beverly Musolf.
The UAW declined to give comment to FOX News on the employees' complaints.
The latest version of the Employee Free Choice Act was introduced to both chambers of Congress on March 10, 2009.
FOX News' Brian Wilson contributed to this report.
Latest Politics Videos
-
-
'September 11 Revisited'
-
Nov 23, 2009
Beamer's dad outraged at trial decision
-
-
-
Louisiana Purchase
-
Nov 23, 2009
Senate concessions spark accusations
-
-
-
Dr. Congress
-
Nov 22, 2009
Bill would mandate H1N1 sick days
-
-
-
Chris Chocola on 'FNS'
-
Nov 22, 2009
One of the generals in GOP's civil war
-
-
-
Panel Plus: 11/22
-
Nov 22, 2009
'FNS' panel on health care, rationing
-
-
-
On This Day: 11/22
-
Nov 22, 2009
The assassination of JFK
-
Real Clear Politics Poll
| Job Approval | Approve | Disapprove | Spread |
| Obama | 50.4% | 43.6% | +6.8% |
| Congress | 27.0% | 64.3% | -37.3% |
| Direction of Country | Right Direction | Wrong Track | Spread |
| RCP Average | 38.0% | 57.2% | -19.2% |
Most Active In Politics
Most Read
Most Commented
-
House Passes Health Care Bill
November 08, 2009 1,132 comments
-
Health Care Bill Moves Toward Senate Debate
November 22, 2009 977 comments
-
Comment Box: Send Us Your Findings on Health Care Reform
November 19, 2009 903 comments
-
AP Turns Heads for Devoting 11 Reporters to Palin Book 'Fact Check'
November 18, 2009 857 comments
-
Obama: 'Dont' Jump to Conclusions' on Fort Hood Shooting
November 06, 2009 615 comments
-
Lieberman's Stand: No Public Option
November 23, 2009
-
White House Weighs Jobs, Deficit
November 23, 2009
-
Climate Emails Stoke Debate
November 23, 2009
-
Mayor Newsom Committed to Politics
November 23, 2009
-
Strains in Party Threaten Democrats
November 23, 2009
-
Would a soldier serving on the Chilcot committee be ruthless enough?
November 23, 2009
-
I do not accept that £64,000 a year for politicians is peanuts
November 23, 2009
-
It’s OK, you’re allowed to laugh at Cast Offs
November 23, 2009
-
Dave’n’George: there may be trouble ahead
November 23, 2009
-
Strip away the figleaf and reveal naysayers
November 23, 2009



recommend








