Cole Decries 'Card Check' Bill

Says Workers Deserve to Have Secret Ballots Protected

WASHINGTON – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) criticized a bill introduced today which will eliminate secret ballots in union organizing elections. The so-called Employee Free Choice Act has also been described as "card check" and will replace the private vote with a public sign-up.

"The secret ballot is the foundation of American democracy," Congressman Cole said. "Forcing workers to publically disclose their decision about whether or not to join a union is not 'free choice.' Workers could be subject to bullying, pressure and intimidation based on their choice. I support the right of American workers to join a union if they choose to do so. But I strongly believe that they should have the right to make that choice through the use of a secret ballot."

Cole is an original cosponsor of alternative legislation that would preserve workers' rights to a secret ballot. The bill, H.R. 1176, the Secret Ballot Protection Act would ensure that employers and unions cannot take away an employee's right to vote by secret ballot, in private.

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