Bob Reich makes a crucial point:
Employers say a simple up-or-down vote, such as featured in the House bill, would allow pro-union workers to intimidate their co-workers. They argue for the more elaborate secret ballot. They say a secret ballot is essential to democracy. But they've got it wrong. Workplaces aren't democracies. Employers have the power to hire and fire -- and that's exactly where the potential for intimidation lies. The only way around it is to go with a simple up-or-down vote.
Read that again. Workplaces aren't a democracy. The votes will never, ever be fair, or even secret. Employers will never voluntarily eschew interference. They will always hold the cards, and be able to threaten terminations and closings. The question is whether you think unions should have a chance. I do, some don't. And that's fine. But that, at root, is the disagreement here.
