A survey released today by the non-profit Employee Freedom Action Committee (EFAC) revealed that Representative Thomas Allen trailed United States Senator Susan Collins in head-to-head general election match-up. Rep. Allen’s prospects are not improved by his support of the misleadingly named Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) or “card-check” legislation that Mainers oppose. Three times as many Mainers said they were more likely to oppose Rep. Allen due to his support for card-check than said they would be more likely to support him.
According to the survey, Maine residents oppose the EFCA proposal by a sizeable 30% margin (57%-27%). The bill is opposed across demographic and political lines in the state as a majority of men, women, Republicans, Democrats, and Independents stated their dissent. When the legislation was explained in greater detail, the results were even more dramatic. 92% of respondents believe that employees should have the right to vote on forming a union by an election where each individual’s vote is kept private.
The survey paints a bleak picture for Rep. Allen’s chances in November. He trailed Senator Collins 53% to 37% in a head-to-head match-up. His support for card-check made 32% of voters less likely to support him and only 11% more likely to support his candidacy.
“An overwhelming number of Mainers oppose the undemocratic, deceptive, and easily corruptible card check process. This legislation would take away a fundamental American right to a private vote and deny millions of workers the simple right to decide whether they want to join a union or not,” Employee Freedom Action Committee spokesman Tim Miller said. “For his own benefit Tom Allen should join the working Mainers that repudiate this deceptive legislation which is being pushed by the big labor funders of his campaign.”
EFAC encourages candidates to oppose card-check legislation, cautioning them that it is unpopular with the public.
The telephone survey completed May 4-5, 2008 among 400 adults, statewide in Maine was conducted by NMB research. The margin of error is +/- 4.9%
