Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - (Page 14) 14 • SEPTEMBER 1, 2008 Bill puts workplace democracy at risk Free Choice Act is stacked in unions’ favor Arnold E. Perl When Sen. Robert Wagner introduced his 1935 bill that was to become the nation’s basic labor law, the National Labor Relations Act, he declared: “Democracy cannot work unless it is honored in the factory as well as the polling booth; men cannot be truly free in body and in spirit unless their freedom extends into the places where they earn their daily bread.” Since then, the National Labor Relations Board, which administers the National Labor Relations Act, has conducted some 423,000 elections involving more than 40 million employees. In running elections, the NLRB makes voting simple and convenient by setting up polling places wherever employees work. In short, secret-ballot elections are at the core of our nation’s basic labor law. Moving ahead to today, organized labor and its congressional supporters are seeking to supplant our nation’s basic labor law with the socalled Employee Free Choice Act. The House passed its version, H.R. 800, on March 1 by a vote of 241 to 185. EDITORIAL STAFF 313-446-0361 E-mail autonews@crain.com Web site www.autonews.com Keith E. Crain Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Peter Brown Associate Publisher and Editorial Director DETROIT 313-446-0361 Fax: 313-446-0383 1155 Gratiot Ave. Detroit, MI 48207-2997 David Sedgwick Editor dsedgwick@crain.com Edward Lapham Executive Editor elapham@crain.com Richard Johnson Managing Editor rjohnson@crain.com John K. Teahen Jr. Senior Editor Mary Beth Vander Schaaf Deputy Managing Editor Charles Child International Editor David Kushma Retail Editor Dave Guilford News Editor Philip Nussel Special Projects Editor James B. Treece Industry Editor Jesse Snyder Senior Writer Karen Faust O’Rourke Insight Editor COPY EDITORS: Bob Allen, Tom Fetters, Patricia C. Foley, Kenn Jones, Gregory Skwira Susan Zavela Bamford/Graphics Editor Rick Kranz/Product Editor REPORTERS: Leslie J. Allen, David Barkholz, Mary Connelly, Ralph Kisiel, Jamie LaReau, Arlena Sawyers, Robert Sherefkin, Richard Truett, Bradford Wernle, Amy Wilson Mary Raetz Director, Automotive News Data Center Debi Domby, Camille Pippen Research Assistants Dan Jones Office Manager Robertta Reiff Editorial Assistant Corinne M. Price, Michael Garrison Information Center comment Arnold E. Perl is a partner with Ford & Harrison LLP in Memphis, Tenn., and was a member of the National Labor Relations Board Advisory Panel from 1994 to 1998. for or against union representation. Instead, a workplace would be unionized if the union obtained signatures on authorization cards from a simple majority of the proposed bargaining unit. Under the bill, employees actually would lose their free choice to vote for or against union representation. nal asked, “Can the UAW survive?” The U.S. Supreme Court in NLRB vs. Gissel Packing Co. Inc. (1969) maintained that “secret elections are generally the most satisfactory — indeed the preferred — method of ascertaining whether a union has majority support.” The NLRB agrees. The court underscored that cards are “admittedly inferior” to the “acknowledged superiority of the election process.” A boon for unions Employee choice is sealed off from any input except from the union. That violates the spirit and intent of the free-speech rights accorded to employers under the National Labor Relations Act. Most observers agree that the Employee Free Choice Act would simplify and hasten labor’s ability to gain union representation at companies and thereby overturn years of declining membership. In the 1950s, unions represented about one of three workers; today in the private sector, it’s 7.5 percent, fewer than 1 out of 13. In 1979, UAW membership peaked at 1.5 million. The UAW says it had 469,910 members at the end of 2007, down more than 1 million from 1979 and at the lowest point since 1941. And union dues are falling along with membership. The July-August 2007 cover of a Detroit business jour- Wagner, father of the NLRA in 1935, would be stunned by the Employee Free Choice Act. For more than 70 years, we have accepted the premise that “democracy cannot work unless it is honored in the factory as well as the polling booth.” Not only do the union and its congressional allies want to overturn our labor laws; they want to rewrite history. It is incongruous to accept the unions’ stance when at the same time our country preaches democracy and secret-ballot elections around the world. When we go to the polls Nov. 4, we will take for granted our right to vote in a secret-ballot election. We also will take for granted our fundamental right to hear from both sides before we vote. Those democratic rights will no longer exist in the workplace if the Employee Free Choice Act becomes law. Moreover, it defies the teaching of Thomas Jefferson that “information is the currency of democracy.” No secret ballot Not only does the Employee Free Choice Act do away with secret-ballot elections to resolve questions of representation; it mandates binding arbitration where parties have not agreed in collective bargaining to determine the initial terms for two years of a first contract. The mandatory-arbitration provision cannot be understated. The idea that an arbitrator would be able to set wages for two years should give pause to every employer. Simply stated, an outsider determines fundamental issues such as wages, benefits and working conditions. That raises questions about the constitutionality of the legislation. What do you think? We would like to hear from you. Send a letter to the editor via e-mail (autonews@crain.com) or to the Detroit address near the top of the box at right. Here’s what we need. No more than 250 words Your name and title, company name if we can print it, city and state; or tell us about your connection to the auto industry Your phone number or e-mail address Your permission to print it Obama a co-sponsor It is noteworthy that Sen. Barack Obama is a co-sponsor of the Senate version, S. 1041. Under the bill, employees actually would lose their free choice to vote Honda Insight engine isn’t noiseless continued from Page 12 the same Scion malady? MARK STEHRENBERGER President Mark Stehrenberger Design Automotive Product/ Design and Development Santa Barbara, Calif. PPG story recalls Exner’s Imperial To the Editor: As both a former Pittsburgher and a retired Chrysler LLC senior design manager, I read with regret about PPG Industries’ decision to sell its automotive glass business (“PPG sells control of glass unit,” July 21). Working closely with Virgil Exner, then Chrysler design director, PPG helped pioneer the compound-curve wraparound windshield and curved side glass that debuted on Exner’s fabulously finned 1957 Imperial, the first American production car with those features. Exner’s artistry combined with PPG’s expertise helped create the best-selling car in Imperial history, and its curved side glass eventually became an industry standard. To the Editor: I am writing in response to Ronald Ahrens’ column about quiet hybrids (“Hybrids too quiet? Sounds like trouble,” Comment, Aug. 18). Ahrens’ friend Larry Fields might be suffering from tunnel vision and some hearing problems, but he did not hear a Honda Insight operating on electric power because the Insight always has its gasoline engine running when it is moving (unless it’s coasting to a stop from a very low speed). Unlike a Prius, which is a parallel hybrid, the Insight is a serial hybrid, and the electric system only assists the gasoline engine; it does not replace it. The letter writer says the Insight’s gasoline engine is quiet, but not silent. The Insight’s gasoline engine is quiet, no doubt about it. But it is not silent. I’ve got one, and it has been a very enjoyable car with an average of 57 mpg over 29,000 miles. MIKE ROEDER San Diego The writer owns Autonomy, a consulting company for the automotive service and repair industry. JEFFREY GODSHALL Royal Oak, Mich. The writer is a member of the Society of Automotive Historians. Trucks, Vette fine; rest of GM, blah To the Editor: In 1991, I attended the new-car show at the Texas State Fair, and I saw a car General Motors was working on, the EV1, a totally electric car that got only about 40 to 50 miles on a charge. Even then I could see a problem with a totally electric plug-in, but GM couldn’t. I suggested that they put a Honda generator in the trunk so they could recharge the batteries when they died. They laughed. Now, I understand that the Chevrolet Volt will have an engine available to charge the batteries when needed. Wow, what an idea! And it took them how many years to realize that? And we wonder why GM stock is at an all-time low? Too bad the only things GM does right are trucks and Corvettes. DAVID LAMBING Austin, Texas The writer is retired. He worked for EDS, a former GM subsidiary that supplies information technology services. 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Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Automotive News - September 1, 2008 Automotive News - September 1, 2008 'Mr. Big Volume' hit again Auto ad spending plummets American Axle to grow outside U.S. Nissan, Renault aim to share more parts Steven Ribet joins Automotive News in Shanghai Salaried workers face the ax Asbury to challenge verdict Lutz wants loan guarantees VW passes Ford as No. 3 global seller in 1st half Suzuki in disguise Dodge hopes smooth ride of coil springs will distinguish Ram Candidates split on union organizing bill Check in the mail? Toyota, Ford can tell 10 CTS stays true to concept GM shifts some vehicle design work to U.S. Infiniti may add cars, big and small BMW slashes production of big engines Toyota cuts sales forecast Chrysler: Viper lures suitors Honda hybrid plan bets big on small cars Ford starts L-M consolidation meetings Obama renews aid offer — industry wants it now Honda taps rainwater to create wetlands U.S. loans could make sense, but can't be a bailout Wanna buy a car? Wanna buy a brand? PPG story recalls Exner's Imperial Toyota goofed on Scion; is Prius next? Editor grows up; import vet pleased Field reps blamed for GM's problems Honda Insight engine isn't noiseless Trucks, Vette fine; rest of GM, blah Reynolds to dealers: Replace aging servers by year end Saddle up! Dem delegates honor slain Arkansas dealer Kia makes a mark of its own Koreans step up; Indians step cautiously; Chinese step back The next batch of new Hyundais: Smaller, more fuel efficient To give fuel economy a boost, Hyundai spends big on r&d U.S. plans fizzle for most Chinese vehicles Mahindra delays U.S. retail launch until 4th quarter of '09 Dealers Personnel Despite tough times, Galpin profits by pimping rides Web service leads grow Uh, I didn't mean to say you should retire Remembering Phil Hill, racing's modest giant Mulally to speak at gadget show GM picks Volt battery supplier Split verdict in fraud case July auto output was up in Japan Bob Fisher Dems reopen the CAFE Hummer, king of the desert? MG remains a no-show in North America Mustang silly Protests could bring ta-ta from Tata The politicians (and I) need a new road map Welburn's design journey began in Philly Automotive News - September 1, 2008 Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - (Page Intro) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - American Axle to grow outside U.S. (Page 1) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - American Axle to grow outside U.S. (Page 2) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Suzuki in disguise (Page 3) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - 10 CTS stays true to concept (Page 4) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - 10 CTS stays true to concept (Page 5) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Chrysler: Viper lures suitors (Page 6) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Chrysler: Viper lures suitors (Page 7) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Obama renews aid offer — industry wants it now (Page 8) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Obama renews aid offer — industry wants it now (Page 9) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Honda taps rainwater to create wetlands (Page 10) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Honda taps rainwater to create wetlands (Page 11) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Field reps blamed for GM's problems (Page 12) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Field reps blamed for GM's problems (Page 13) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Trucks, Vette fine; rest of GM, blah (Page 14) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Saddle up! (Page 15) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Dem delegates honor slain Arkansas dealer (Page 16) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Koreans step up; Indians step cautiously; Chinese step back (Page 17) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - To give fuel economy a boost, Hyundai spends big on r&d (Page 18) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Mahindra delays U.S. retail launch until 4th quarter of '09 (Page 19) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Personnel (Page 20) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Web service leads grow (Page 21) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Web service leads grow (Page 22) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Web service leads grow (Page 23) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Web service leads grow (Page 24) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Uh, I didn't mean to say you should retire (Page 25) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Uh, I didn't mean to say you should retire (Page 26) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - July auto output was up in Japan (Page 27) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Bob Fisher (Page 28) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Bob Fisher (Page 29) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Welburn's design journey began in Philly (Page 30) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Welburn's design journey began in Philly (Page 31) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Welburn's design journey began in Philly (Page 32)
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