Alliance for Worker Freedom

<h2 class="title"><font size="4" face="Times New Roman" color="#000000">=</font></h2><h2 class="title">
</h2><h2 class="title"><font size="4" face="Times New Roman" color="#000000">cei open ltr ~ irs</font></h2><h2 class="title"><font size="4" face="Times New Roman" color="#000000">ntbcw</font></h2><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: large; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Matt Patterson, Executive Director</span><br style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: large; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" /><h2 class="title">Center for Worker Freedom</h2><h2 class="title"><font size="4" face="Times New Roman" color="#000000"></font></h2><h2 class="title"><font size="4" face="Times New Roman" color="#000000"><a href="http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/rep-bachmann-named-guardian-worker-freedom">Rep. Bachmann Named "Guardian of Worker Freedom"</a></font></h2>

<div class="submitted"><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Submitted by Kyle Mantyla on Wed, 12/03/2008 - 4:15pm</font></div>

<p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Sometimes <a href="http://bachmann.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=106614">you just have to laugh</a>:</font></p>

<p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Last week, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann was presented with the "Guardian of Worker Freedom" award by the Alliance for Worker Freedom.  The AWF honored the Congresswoman with the award for her commitment to workers’ rights, open markets, and labor freedom in the [sic] 2008.  Bachmann also received the award for her efforts in 2007.</font>

<font size="4" face="Times New Roman">“I am honored to be receiving this award,” said Bachmann. “The men and women who make up America’s workforce are the heart and soul of this economy.  And in the face of our serious economic challenges it is more critical now than ever to encourage job creation and expand workers’ freedoms and opportunities.”</font>

<font size="4" face="Times New Roman">The nonpartisan Alliance for Worker Freedom presented the “Guardian of Worker Freedom” award to Representatives who stood up for the freedoms and interests of workers and against special interests and regulatory schemes that crush employment opportunity.</font>

<font size="4" face="Times New Roman">“By voting in favor of workers [sic] rights and freedoms, Congresswoman Bachmann deserves to be honored for siding with the rank-and-file American worker,” said AWF Executive Director Brian M. Johnson.  “Representative Bachmann is without a doubt a true guardian of worker freedom.”</font></p>

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<p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">The Alliance for Worker Freedom is a “<a href="http://www.workerfreedom.org/index.php?content=about">special project</a>” (aka “front-group”) for Grover Norquist and his <a href="http://atr.org/special/index.html">Americans for Tax Reform</a>, which is not exactly known for being overly committed to the well-being, security, or rights of the American worker. </font>

<font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Apparently Bachmann and Norquist think that the American workforce is made up primarily of idiots who can’t see through their pathetically self-serving charade.</font></p>

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<p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"> =</font></p><p><a href="http://www.workerfreedom.org/donate"><font size="4" face="Times New Roman" color="#000000">http://www.workerfreedom.org/donate</font></a></p><p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">=</font></p><div class="asset-header" style="margin: 0px 0px 12px; padding: 0px; line-height: 14.3px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><div class="asset-meta timestamp" style="margin: 20px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.1em;"><abbr class="published" title="2009-07-28T19:10:47-05:00" style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-style: none; cursor: help;"><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">7:10 PM Eastern - Tuesday, July 28, 2009</font></abbr></div><h2 class="asset-name entry-title" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 34px;"><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Alliance for Worker Freedom kicks out workers</font></h2><div class="asset-meta byline" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; line-height: 1.1em;"><span class="vcard"><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">BY KATE THOMAS</font></span></div></div><div class="asset-content entry-content" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 14.3px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><div class="asset-body" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; letter-spacing: 0.02em;"><p style="margin: 0px 0px 12px; padding: 0px;"><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Today, several workers went to Capitol Hill to attend a panel discussion about the <a href="http://www.seiu.org/employeefreechoice" style="font-weight: 700;">Employee Free Choice Act,</a> sponsored by the Alliance for Worker Freedom. Much to their dismay, the workers were escorted out of the event after its organizers complained to the Capitol Police.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 12px; padding: 0px;"><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">The event was <a href="http://www.seiu.org/images/pdfs/AWF_EFCA_Event_July28.pdf" style="font-weight: 700;">advertised</a> as an information-gathering session for Congressional staffers to discuss the legislation, and have "questions addressed by experts in the field." And for the outside community, "a resource to gather and share information."</font></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 12px; padding: 0px;"><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">However, it quickly became evident when the workers were blocked from attending the event that these <a href="http://www.seiu.org/images/pdfs/AWF_EFCA_Event_July28.pdf" style="font-weight: 700;">panelists</a> were probably <em>not</em> going to be educating the room on how we can push for the protection of workers' rights. The event featured speakers from the <a href="http://www.seiu.org/uschamberofcommerce" style="font-weight: 700;">U.S. Chamber of Commerce</a> and corporate front groups the <a href="http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/the-anti-union-network/chamber-of-commerce/coalition-for-a-democratic-workplace-exposed-20080424-557-273.html" style="font-weight: 700;">Coalition for a Democratic Workplace</a> and the <a href="http://www.seiu.org/2009/07/do-corporate-front-groups-think-the-employee-free-choice-act-is-similar-to-nazis.php" style="font-weight: 700;">Workforce Fairness Institute</a>, among others--the same groups and donors that fight against good wages, workplace safety and the ability of workers to form unions in their workplaces.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 12px; padding: 0px;"><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">You'd think that a meeting on <a href="http://www.seiu.org/employeefreechoice" style="font-weight: 700;">Employee Free Choice</a> would welcome the perspective of workers whose lives the legislation would most deeply effect -- but ironically, this was not the case.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 12px; padding: 0px;"><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">It's pretty ridiculous that an organization called "The Alliance for Worker Freedom" would<em>kick out</em> workers from a Capitol Hill panel discussion and Q&A <strong style="font-style: inherit;"><em style="font-weight: inherit;">about</em> the rights and freedoms of workers</strong>. Guess a <a href="http://www.seiu.org/2009/01/yet-another-corporate-front-group-save-our-secret-ballots.php" style="font-weight: 700;">misleading organization name</a> is just one more degenerate attempt by this group to convince people that they're on the side of workers.</font></p></div></div><p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">=</font></p><div><div style="line-height: 18.004px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><h4 style="line-height: 1.3em; margin-top: 0.909em; margin-bottom: 0.909em;"><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">The Role of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in the Anti-Union Network
 </font></h4></div><h2 style="line-height: 1.3em; margin-top: 0.667em; margin-bottom: 0.667em; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Lobbying</font></h2><ul style="margin: 1em 0px; padding-left: 2em; line-height: 18.004px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">In 2004, the Chamber spent $24.5 million lobbying the federal government.<a href="http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/the-anti-union-network/chamber-of-commerce/sources-20080727-592-273-273.html#8" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">8</a>
 </font></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">The Chamber<a id="norwood" name="norwood" title="norwood" style="font-weight: bold; outline: none;"> works closely with the Bush administration</a><a href="http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/the-anti-union-network/chamber-of-commerce/sources-20080727-592-273-273.html#9" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">9</a> and prominent anti-labor conservatives on Capitol Hill such as Rep. Charlie Norwood (R-GA), head of the House Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.  An anti-workplace safety zealot, Norwood was given the Chamber’s Spirit of Enterprise Award for his pro-Chamber voting record.  Norwood caused controversy this year for his <a href="http://spewingforth.blogspot.com/2006/03/dead-miners-and-republican-abuse-of.html" target="blank" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">insensitivity during Congressional hearings on the Sago mineworkers tragedy</a>, and for <a href="http://blog.aflcio.org/2006/07/06/american-blackout-voting-rights-in-danger/" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">lobbying loudly against renewal of the Voting Rights Act.</a></font></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">The Chamber lobbies to oppose pro-worker legislation, including the Family Time and Workplace Flexibility Act, Fair Minimum Wage Act, and an expansion of the Family and Medical Leave Act.<a href="http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/the-anti-union-network/chamber-of-commerce/sources-20080727-592-273-273.html#10" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">10</a>
 </font></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Among the Chamber’s <a href="http://www.uschamber.com/issues/index/labor/default" target="blank" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">legislative priorities</a> is opposition to the <a href="http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=36&Itemid=102" target="self" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">Employee Free Choice Act</a> , which would strengthen labor law and provide workers with the right to union representation <a href="http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/employee-free-choice-act/resource-library/majority-sign-up-qa.html" target="self" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">via the card check process</a> when a majority present signed union authorization cards to their employers.<a href="http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/the-anti-union-network/chamber-of-commerce/sources-20080727-592-273-273.html#11" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">11</a>  On May 4, 2006, the Chamber sent a letter to all Republican members of Congress urging them to support the Secret Ballot Protection Act,<a href="http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/the-anti-union-network/chamber-of-commerce/sources-20080727-592-273-273.html#12" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">12</a> which would outlaw union recognition through <nobr><a href="http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/#" id="FALINK_2_0_1" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">card check</a></nobr>.  The Chamber also operates a website urging its members to pressure Congress on the issue.<a href="http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/the-anti-union-network/chamber-of-commerce/sources-20080727-592-273-273.html#13" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">13</a></font></li></ul><h2 style="line-height: 1.3em; margin-top: 0.667em; margin-bottom: 0.667em; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"> Litigation</font></h2><ul style="margin: 1em 0px; padding-left: 2em; line-height: 18.004px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Its recent litigation efforts include an attempt to strike down a California law prohibiting the use of tax dollars for anti-union activity, and litigation to overturn county “Peace Agreement” ordinances.<a href="http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/the-anti-union-network/chamber-of-commerce/sources-20080727-592-273-273.html#14" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">14</a>
 </font></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">The Chamber recently filed amicus briefs in <a href="http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/press-releases/press-releases/editorial-memo-workers-anticipate-reversal-of-rights-from-bush-appointed-labor-board.html" target="self" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">two significant cases before the National Labor Relations Board</a> to argue for rulings that limit the ability of workers to form unions.  One case could define millions of workers as supervisors, revoking their right to organize, and the other could effectively quash the card check method of organizing.<a href="http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/the-anti-union-network/chamber-of-commerce/sources-20080727-592-273-273.html#15" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">15</a>
 </font></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">The Chamber has also lobbied the Bush administration on nominations to the National Labor Relations Board,<a href="http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/the-anti-union-network/chamber-of-commerce/sources-20080727-592-273-273.html#16" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">16</a> and succeeded in placing one of their staffers on the Board.  In 2002, President Bush appointed Michael Bartlett, then Director of Labor Law Policy for the Chamber, to sit on the five-member Board in a recess appointment that lasted nearly one year. </font></li></ul><h4 style="line-height: 1.3em; margin-top: 0.909em; margin-bottom: 0.909em; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Sponsoring propaganda</font></h4><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 18.004px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">For decades, labor-community coalitions have joined together to hold corporations accountable for their treatment of employees.  Recently, the Chamber published <a href="http://www.uschamber.com/publications/reports/06union_campaigns.htm" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">a briefing book</a> aimed at attacking the motives and methods of these so-called ‘corporate campaigns.’<a href="http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/the-anti-union-network/chamber-of-commerce/sources-20080727-592-273-273.html#17" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">17</a>  The author, Jarol B. Manheim, a George Washington University political scientist, not only villifies corporate campaigns, but finds danger in any critique of the corporate world.  Manheim previously testified about the subject before Rep. Norwood’s House Subcommittee on Workforce Protections in 2002,<a href="http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/the-anti-union-network/chamber-of-commerce/sources-20080727-592-273-273.html#18" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">18</a> and also serves as a <nobr><a href="http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/#" id="FALINK_1_0_0" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">consultant on</a></nobr> anti-union matters, having written a confidential “Positioning Memo” to help Verizon in its intense efforts to fight its employees’ union activity.<a href="http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/the-anti-union-network/chamber-of-commerce/sources-20080727-592-273-273.html#19" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">19</a></font></p><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 18.004px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><font size="4" face="Times New Roman" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 102);">The Chamber is reportedly behind the launch of a new, aggressive propaganda campaign against unions by <a href="http://www.villagevoice.com/people/0603,hunter,71775,24.html" target="blank" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">“notorious DC lobbyist”<b> Richard Berman</b></a><b>.</b>  In February 2006, <a href="http://futureoftheunion.com/?p=2606" target="blank" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">with the assistance of Chamber labor lobbyist Randel Johnson</a>,<a href="http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/the-anti-union-network/chamber-of-commerce/sources-20080727-592-273-273.html#20" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">20</a> Berman created the <a href="http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=25&Itemid=212" target="self" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">Center for Union Facts</a>, a new front group responsible for a steady stream of anti-union TV commercials and full-page ads in major daily newspapers. </font></p><ul style="margin: 1em 0px; padding-left: 2em; line-height: 18.004px;"><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 102);">The<b> Center for Union Facts</b>’ legislative agenda is strikingly similar to the Chamber’s</span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.  Berman has admitted to launching the Center for the purpose of halting workers’ ability to form unions through card check and to support the Chamber-backed Secret Ballot Protection Act sponsored by </span><a href="http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/the-anti-union-network/chamber-of-commerce/chamber-of-commerce.html#norwood" target="self" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Charlie Norwood</a><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">, which would outlaw the currently voluntary card check process.</span><a href="http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/the-anti-union-network/chamber-of-commerce/sources-20080727-592-273-273.html#21" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">21</a><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">  Berman also recently divulged to The Wall Street Journal that the Center was formed to “wage a campaign against the Employee Free Choice Act,” </span><a href="http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/employee-free-choice-act/latest-updates-102/" target="self" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">bipartisan legislation</a><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> that would require employers to recognize unions formed by the card check process, which the Chamber also adamantly opposes.</span><a href="http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/the-anti-union-network/chamber-of-commerce/sources-20080727-592-273-273.html#22" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">22</a>
<span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> </span></font></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Berman has utilized Chamber connections for fundraising. Berman told The New York Times that he asked Chamber of Commerce officials at a state conference to recommend that businesses in their states donate to his anti-union campaign.<a href="http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/the-anti-union-network/chamber-of-commerce/sources-20080727-592-273-273.html#23" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">23</a>  Berman has declined to say <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12991631/" target="blank" title="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12991631/" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">who has pumped $3 million</a>into his group, beyond claiming that funding comes from corporations, foundations, trade associations, and individuals.<a href="http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/the-anti-union-network/chamber-of-commerce/sources-20080727-592-273-273.html#24" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">24</a>  Randel Johnson has repeatedly denied any Chamber funding of the Center, yet admitted “he had served as an adviser to the Center.”<a href="http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/the-anti-union-network/chamber-of-commerce/sources-20080727-592-273-273.html#25" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">25</a>
 </font></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Berman does have longstanding ties with the Chamber, having served as its labor law director, planning union avoidance strategies for the organization from 1972-74.<a href="http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/the-anti-union-network/chamber-of-commerce/sources-20080727-592-273-273.html#26" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">26</a></font></li></ul><h4 style="line-height: 1.3em; margin-top: 0.909em; margin-bottom: 0.909em; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Connections to players in the anti-union movement</font></h4><ul style="margin: 1em 0px; padding-left: 2em; line-height: 18.004px;"><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">A number of key players in the conservative movement have worked for the Chamber, including</span><b><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 102);"> Grover Norquist,</span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> who served as the Chamber’s chief speechwriter in the 1980s.</span></b></font></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><font size="4" face="Times New Roman"><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">The Chamber does not pursue its anti-union agenda alone, it coordinates with a number of players in the anti-union movement.  For instance, it participates in</span><b style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> Grover Norquist’s Alliance for Worker Freedom</b><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">“Labor Reform Working Group” meetings.  The agenda of the December 2005 meeting of this group focused on a range of union-related issues, including card check, project labor agreements, and the Department of Labor’s new database on union information.</span><a href="http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/the-anti-union-network/chamber-of-commerce/sources-20080727-592-273-273.html#27" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">27</a><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">  </span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 102);">Attendees included <a href="http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=25&Itemid=212" target="self" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">Richard Berman</a>,</span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">along with <b>representatives from the Chamber, the DOL, the anti-union Associated Builders and Contractors, Senator Bill Frist’s office, and Rep. Charlie Norwood’s office.</b></span></font></li></ul><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 18.004px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">You'd think a group called the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace (CDW) would be dedicated to promoting the needs and desires of America's workers. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, CDW spreads half-truths and lies about the <a href="http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/employee-free-choice-act/home/" target="self" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">Employee Free Choice Act</a> to wage an ill-conceived assault on the rights and opportunities of millions of men and women across the country.  </font></p><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 18.004px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Here's the real scoop on the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace...</font></p><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 18.004px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">CDW is a front group for business associations, industry lobbying groups, and right-wing policy centers who are against workers getting a fair shake in this economy. Its financial backers include some of the most virulent anti-worker and anti-union organizations in the country, including:</font></p><ul style="margin: 1em 0px; padding-left: 2em; line-height: 18.004px;"><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><font size="4" face="Times New Roman" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 102);">the <a href="http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/the-anti-union-network/chamber-of-commerce/" target="self" title="U.S. Chamber of Commerce" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">U.S. Chamber of Commerce</a>, the nation’s most powerful business lobbying organization,</font></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><font size="4" face="Times New Roman" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 102);">the Retail Industry Leaders Association, a group whose biggest member is <a href="http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/wal-mart/" target="self" title="Wal-Mart" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">Wal-Mart</a>, the poster child for low wages,</font></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">and the Associated Builders and Contractors, an association of anti-union contractors who fight against workers having unions to improve their wages and safety on the job.</font></li></ul><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 18.004px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">CDW is doing the dirty work for CEOs and corporate special interests. Too ashamed to be fighting publicly against policies that would provide workers with real economic opportunities, these companies instead use their <a href="http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/the-anti-union-network/center-for-union-facts/bermans-front-groups.html" target="self" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">deep pockets</a> and <a href="http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/the-anti-union-network/chamber-of-commerce/" target="self" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">powerful influence</a> to fund CDW’s dishonest PR and lobbying campaign.</font></p><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 18.004px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">The CEOs and multimillion dollar <nobr><a href="http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/#" id="FALINK_3_0_2" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">business industry</a></nobr> groups backing CDW don’t care about democracy or privacy. They’re distorting the truth because they want to stop workers from having a better standard of living, access to health care, job security, and the rest of the benefits that accompany union membership.  These same groups oppose everything from paid sick days to fair pay and even the hugely popular Family and Medical Leave Act. It's unbelievable that business interests would suddenly care about privacy now, when corporations increasingly monitor employees’ every move – including <a href="http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/eye-on-the-nlrb/editions/employers-can-ban-union-related-email-says-nlrb.html" target="self" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">e-mail</a>, phone calls, personal belongings, and even <a href="http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/eye-on-the-nlrb/editions/big-brother-nixes-happy-hour.html" target="self" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">interactions outside of the workplace</a>.</font></p><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 18.004px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">CDW spreads misinformation.  Contrary to the lies and distortions displayed in CDW’s new TV ad and on its website, the <a href="http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/employee-free-choice-act/home/" target="self" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">Employee Free Choice Act</a> does not take <a href="http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/employee-free-choice-act/resource-library/secret-ballots-arent-enough.html" target="self" title="Secret Ballots Aren't Enough" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">secret ballots</a> away from workers. The legislation instead offers employees an alternative to the current, broken system that is slanted heavily in favor of management against workers. In fact, the bill would ensure that workers can choose their own union formation process, either through <a href="http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/employee-free-choice-act/resource-library/why-majority-sign-up-is-needed.html" target="self" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">majority sign-up</a> or a National Labor Relations Board election.</font></p><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 18.004px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">CDW’s own data and research is flawed. Instead of using well-respected academic research and public opinion <nobr><a href="http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/#" id="FALINK_1_0_0" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">surveys</a></nobr> to test the merits and support for the Employee Free Choice Act, CDW released a poll in April 2008 claiming widespread opposition to the bill. However, even the most conservative political scientists and pundits could easily review the poll’s loaded questions and determine that it <a href="http://matthewyglesias.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/04/fallacies_of_literalism.php" target="_self" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">in no way accurately tested</a> the public’s perceptions on the issue.</font></p></div><div style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><font face="Times New Roman" size="4">http://shutthechamber.org/news/american-rights-work-us-chambers-anti-union-agenda</font></div><div style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><font face="Times New Roman" size="4">
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