Self-described “labor sympathizer” Carole Goldberg published an article in today’s Sacramento Bee outlining a money grab by UNITE HERE officials, who are demanding that a new Indian tribes casino pact include mandatory recognition of card check organizing. The union’s demand is costing California’s tax system a half-billion — that’s billion, with a “b” — in casino revenues.
Says Goldberg:
All that stands in the way of this agreement is approval by the Legislature. And all that stands in the way of legislative approval is a demand by the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Union (United HERE!) that the compacts include provision for a certain form of union organizing.
In particular, United HERE! wants the workers’ decision regarding union representation to be made by individual employees signing cards, rather than by a secret ballot. That demand should not prevent legislators from approving the compacts, which strike a reasonable balance between labor rights and respect for tribal sovereignty.
This is a microcosm of the national fight over card check, which union bosses want as federal law instead of allowing employees a personal, private vote to decide whether they join a union. Labor leaders know that under card check employees have less information and are thus less likely to turn down union bosses’ generous offers to embezzle and waste their dues money.
