Employee Free Choice Act protects the rights
of all workers

As a life-long trade unionist, I found myself compelled to correct the disturbing errors regarding the Employee Free Choice Act, which appeared in the Oakland Tribune’Äôs Aug. 13 editorial "Kill Unfair Labor Bill."

Despite biased reporting to the contrary, America’Äôs labor unions are comprised of intelligent, hardworking, moral people who strive for a single cause: to create better working conditions for this country's citizens. This includes a united effort to reform the National Labor Relations Act by supporting passage of the Employee Free Choice Act.

Under the National Labor Relations Act's current regulation, America’Äôs working-class citizens often find themselves caught between a rock and hard place. They often labor away for pennies on the dollar with little to no benefits while being fed anti-union propaganda by employers who threaten pay cuts, termination or other disciplinary action at the simple thought of unionizing.

The Employee Free Choice Act would only ensure workers the freedom to join and form labor unions without workplace discrimination, intimidation, penalties or harassment.

The act clearly looks out for the best interest of America's workers by giving them a streamlined process through which they may seek allowances that are rightfully theirs: health insurance, paid overtime, appropriate sick leave and, perhaps most importantly, peace of mind.

Furthermore, the act, which does come with its own checksand- balances system, allows for secret ballot elections to take place and also calls upon third-party injunction if, after 90 days, an employer and union are unable to reach an adequate agreement.

Most importantly, the Employee Free Choice Act is necessary if America is to keep its labor base-the very foundation upon which this country was built.

Without passage of the act, multimillion dollar corporations will only gain strength, while working families in America will be subjected to the continued erosion of the once solid middle class. As Rep. George Miller, D-Martinez, who helped to introduce the bill, said, "the Employee Free Choice Act would add some fairness to the system."

And fairness is what America's hard-working families deserve.