Let’s get something straight: Al Sharpton thinks businesses should be unionized to protect workers and prevent jobs from moving overseas (although unions are a lot of why jobs DID move overseas).  However, as he discussed on his radio show, he and other African-American business leaders on the show oppose the legislation known as Card Check because 1) the sacred secret ballot is removed and 2) a contract imposed by a federal arbitrator could be imposed on small businesses for two years if talks between a newly-formed union and the business don’t work out.

As Ed over at Hot Air points out, the absence of a secret ballot could be used against the workers by both the union and the employer.  However, the employer is the one fighting to keep the secret ballot in place.  I’m sure that employers aren’t just thinking of the poor workers. 

They know that once unionized, it will be a difficult row to hoe.  They will be forced to increase pay and benefits, probably for work rules that will reduce productivity targets for workers.  I’m not saying workers will stop working as hard, but when you’re told that productivity levels are X and if you exceed those levels, you make everone look bad, you tend to not do more than minimum so your union “buddies” don’t make it difficult for you.  (This has happened to my husband, so it’s not just a worst-case I pulled out my ass.)

Once unionized, employers know it will be difficult to get the union out, so they want to put the brakes on as early as possible.  Employers are not looking out for the worker in opposing this legislation; they are clearly looking out for themselves.  It doesn’t mean the legislation is right just because the big business lobby is against it.