Union bill can wait-US Rep Miller

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/feedarticle/8309562

Reuters, Friday January 23 2009

(Adds Senate approval of Ledbetter bill, Reid comment)
By Kevin Drawbaugh

WASHINGTON, Jan 22 (Reuters) - Memo to the U.S. labor movement from a key ally on making unionization easier -- take a number and be patient.

The Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) will receive prompt attention in this Congress, said Rep. George Miller, chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives labor committee.

But more urgent matters -- most importantly the deepening economic crisis -- must take precedence for now, he told Reuters in an interview as the 111th Congress got under way.

"There are things that may be more urgent because of circumstances beyond our control. That doesn't diminish the urgency I feel or the supporters of the Employee Free Choice Act feel ... I am quite comfortable that this is going to receive timely treatment," said the California Democrat.

Miller has already scored a win on another labor issue, winning House passage earlier this month of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which would reverse a Supreme Court ruling that made it tougher for workers to sue for pay discrimination.
The Senate on Thursday approved the Ledbetter bill, which Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid, of Nevada, called "a victory for American workers."

FULL story at link.

It should be part of the stimulus bill. Employees need to protect wages and jobs. The Employee Free Choice Act can help do that. The companies are laying people off right and left.

If we are going to stimulate the economy, we need jobs HERE in the US, with decent wages and benefits. If the employees don't have a union, they are at the mercy of the corporations they work for.

We need the Employee Free Choice Act passed ASAP.

Looks like the lobbyists are winning.