Three Big Retailers To Back Proposal On Union Bill

Wall Street Journal:

Three big retailers are expected to back an alternative proposal next week on a hotly contested bill that would make it easier to unionize workplaces, a move some experts said would bolster the legislation's chance of passage.

Costco Wholesale Corp., Starbucks Corp. and Whole Foods Market Inc. are supporting the alternative proposal, according to someone familiar with the effort. Ray Krupin, a management labor lawyer in Washington said the most likely compromise would allow employees to unionize if 70% of them sign union-authorization cards, as opposed to 50% as currently proposed in the Employee Free Choice Act.

Read the whole story: Wall Street Journal

Comments

[sueinmn]

Yup just another watered way to entice you to believe that the corporate America knows whats best for you.
If they really cared about us, we would be sitting just fine today. We wouldnt be facing the mess we are. Its all greed! They know if you organize, they just might have to share the profits! My God they can't have that. They couldnt not afford the lifestyle of the rich and famous.

SAY NO to any watered down version. America needs this to save the middle class before they destroy us completely. They are dangerously close to date of total destruction of the middleclass.

[festry548]

Caribou Coffee and Trader Joe's, here I come!

[spinns17]

51 percent is a majority.so whats up with this 70 percent [e-mail] know the bill is going to pass because the polls favor it.there just trying to edge it to there favor.the unions better not go for this scam.

[jerrypl]

Now, I will continue to get my drinks at Starbucks, my discounts at Costco, and groceries at Whole Foods. I will support these retailers first.

http://eye-on-washington.blogspot.com

[sueinmn]

You support them but will they support you?

[OlskoolDem]

you can't get 70% of the registered voters to elect the president so this is just more corporate smoke.

[VOTER]

Economical Paradox-Pain Facing Families

I recently spent an evening with Union members and their
families at a local tavern for a Birthday celebration.
Table talk included discussion about the Employee Free
Choice Act and financial hard times.
Later, I overheard several in the group making plans to meet up
at WalMart's Sam's Club for a shopping excursion.

[Dolphinfan65]

This is what we have been force to do.Buy poisoned Chinese products.

[katekid]

Headline: "Three big retailers...back union bill..." is misleading.
These anti-union corporations suggest 70%! How generous.
Current proposal simple majority (50% + 1), unless the WORKERS desire an election is fair.
Existing system is a scam of hoops, hurdles and delays.
And designed to stifle concerted activity.
EFCA needed now to level playing field.

[Dolphinfan65]

What a crock of ...............!!!!!!

[Truby]

It is a bit of a stretch to call Starbucks a retailer, but minor quibble aside, forcing large corporations to deal fairly with all employees is a wise move. Building your company on the backs of employees making minimum wage while top executives earn tens of millions is bad for our country. Many, many jobs have been outsourced to third world nations simply to reduce the cost of labor while lavishing executives with more. Yes I believe in the free market system, in pay being tied to performance and in the American Dream but I also recognize that the vast majority of Americans will not climb to the top and we need to look out for them as well as those at the bottom.

Return the power to the people, reform campaign finance laws.

[Bettysdad]

There has long been a direct correlation between union membership, and quality of life. Unions improve life. The countries that are beating the pants off America have multiples of union membership. If you oppose unions, you oppose America.. It's just that simple.

[amiri1]

These companies are not hearing the hearts, minds and voices of we the people. If Americans traveled on a AIG bus tour today, they are not going to allow these non-Wall Street businesses to bind them never ever again. The tide has changed and the people have empowered themselves.
50% is what we need and we need it now with an increase in the LIVING WAGE!

[1sparrow]

i agree with most of the negative comments here. i honestly think that dangling this hot dog called "union" in front of workers is just a deception to get people to go back to work. if the job involves a non-livable wage there is no sense in talking. here in ca. they recently enacted the $8 per hour minimum. thats not a living wage. get three people making that an give them a tiny studio to live in- and they may live, but have no savings or disposable income.... get real. the real minimum is $14 or $15 dollars an hour- the rest is the underground lifestyle.

[bigalsbeans]

You must not understand the concept of a minimum wage. So just to clarify, the 17 year old working a part time job should make $14 an hour? Are you serious? The minimum wage was never meant to really be a living wage. With the possible exception of this current recession (and not even sure about that), if you are only earning minimum wage, you are probably either lazy, unable to follow directions or just way underskilled. The solution would be to improve skills, not mandate an artificial wage floor that supply and demand will normally take care of just fine.

[Deaninphilly]

Yes, I agree with you about the concept of minimum wage. However when you have companies rigging the system and not paying a living wage but a dollar or two above minimum, then what? For many many years now Americans have seen prices go up and executive salaries go up, but their income has gone down. Millions upon millions of people can not be that lazy. What's the solution then to the problem?

[pharm]

The minimum wage was originally supposed to keep a FAMILY OF FOUR alive, fed, housed, and clothed! Inflation has ruined any chance of that, and the politicians haven`t helped.

[filo]

Ifind it amazing that many unions have been forced almost at gunpoint to renegotiate their contracts but when it came tothe AIG bonuses suddenly "a contract is a contract " and it must be honored.

What utter BS ! The unions should remember this the next time big business wants give-backs.

[MuchMadness]

Things look bleak for the unions, but they need to stand strong and fight for a victory. The public might support them. People are tired of hearing how decent wages and working conditions will cripple American competitiveness. Meanwhile corporate executives get cushy deals right and left.

[labman57]

Looks like the corporate retail industry is scared sh*tless about this bill, and so is now trying to compromise after numerous clandestine attempts to kill the legislation outright.

[sueinmn]

Just another watered down effort to make you believe they are giving you something! You agree to this and next they will waterdown the agreement language.

A Democracy is suppose to be a simple majority. "Majority rule". You are allowing them to re-write the definition of a democracty. This will not end here!

SAY NO WAY!