Washington, Aug 19 -

Today, Congressman Patrick McHenry joined local employers at a rally and seminar in opposition to the so-called Employee Free Choice Act, otherwise known as “card-check” legislation.  The event was hosted by the Catawba County Chamber of Commerce.

Card-check eliminates the right to secret ballot elections for workers deciding whether to unionize in the workplace.  Labor unions would now only have to get signatures on a card from a majority of employees to form a union.

“Eliminating the democratic process in the workplace is a serious violation of worker’s rights and a threat to their wages,” Congressman McHenry stated.

The measure is criticized for putting workers at greater risk for harassment and intimidation by union organizers.

George McGovern, former Democrat Senator from South Dakota and 1972 Democrat presidential nominee, recently wrote an editorial in the Wall Street Journal opposing card-check.

Senator McGovern, who describes himself as ‘longtime friend of labor unions’ wrote of, ‘many documented cases where workers have been pressured, harassed, tricked and intimated into signing cards that have led to mandatory payment of dues.’

The legislative progress of card-check, the top priority of national labor unions, has stalled and faces a presidential veto.  However, the bill is expected to be voted on in the 111th Congress and is supported by Democrat presidential nominee Barack Obama.

“The workers of Western North Carolina deserve to know who will fight to protect their rights and wages,” Congressman McHenry said.

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