The U.S. Chamber of Commerce will spend “whatever it takes” to defeat a piece of federal legislation aimed at increasing union membership, the group’s chief executive said in Denver on Friday.
In remarks intended to rally opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act, Tom Donohue said killing the measure is a top priority for the business-advocacy group. Unions are “trying to turn the clock back 50 years,” Donohue told the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. “That sure as hell is not a good idea as we’re trying to rejuvenate the American economy.”
U.S. Chamber officials previously had said they would dedicate $10 million to fight the bill.
Known as EFCA, the legislation would allow workers to approve union representation by signing cards without the need for secret-ballot elections.
Denver Metro Chamber officials said they are urging their members to contact Colorado’s congressional delegation to express opposition.
Bill proponents say it will contribute to economic recovery by increasing workers’ purchasing power through higher wages and better benefits.
“We really need to strengthen the middle class,” said Terri Monley, co-owner of Gate City Moving in Denver, which has about a dozen workers.
“If working people could be making a little more and have a little bit better health care, our business would benefit from that,” she said, “and I know lots of other small businesses like mine would benefit.”
Analysts have said organized labor is pushing EFCA to rebuild its ranks after decades of declining membership.
Nationally, about 7.5 percent of workers in the private sector belong to a union, down from apeak of 36 percent in the early 1950s.
Steve Raabe: 303-954-1948 or sraabe@denverpost.com
