Labor & Employment Law

Employee Free Choice Act - Probably on hold

The labor movement, lots of Democrats, academics, and others have their hopes built up that the election of Barack Obama and the increase in the number of Congressional democrats will result in the early enactment of the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA).

That seems doubtful to me.

There are other more pressing problems. Such as seriously dysfunctional credit markets, drooping housing market, bank failures, foreclosures, a disastrous situation in the auto industry, enormous job losses, and two wars that really aren't going anywhere.

I suppose if the EFCA were the only thing on the table, the democrats could push it through in spite of huge opposition by business and the republicans.

However, that sort of push would create the kind of partisan ill will that would make it even more difficult to get needed legislation in higher priority areas.

On top of that, the need to create new jobs and preserve existing jobs will be a much higher priority than making union organizing easier.

My prediction: On hold until 2010.

Full post as published by Ross' Employment Law Blog on January 19, 2009 (boomark / email).