Due to advocacy by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) and the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace, supporters of a measure to gut landmark New Deal legislation and strip American workers of their right to vote on unionization, were dealt a setback today in the House of Representatives.
H.R. 800, introduced by Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), would eliminate American workers' right to federally-supervised private ballot elections in the workplace and install a public 'card check' system. Currently, workers have the right to choose their workplace representation and conditions in private to vote their conscience.
Initially confident of widespread support spearheaded by union leaders who contributed heavily to Democratic victories last November, Rep. Miller introduced H.R. 800. Once American workers had an opportunity to examine the bill, however, the expected support among the public never materialized. In fact, opposition to the bill was overwhelming and immediate.
A poll conducted in January 2007 by McLaughlin & Associates found that 89 percent of Americans believe having a federally-supervised secret ballot election is the best way to protect the individual rights of workers, and that same percentage says a worker's vote to organize a union should remain private. The poll also found that 79 percent oppose the legislation, while only 14 percent support it. In addition, the poll found that 73 percent of Republicans and 70 percent of Democrats would be less likely to vote for a Member of Congress who voted in favor of taking away a worker's right to a federally supervised secret ballot election.
Faced with the overwhelming and growing opposition to the provisions in H.R. 800, the bill was rushed through the Congressional process to secure a vote as fast as possible. In a highly unusual move, the Democratic leadership only held one subcommittee hearing on the bill before it was voted out of the full House Education and Labor Committee, before being sent to the full House for a vote. The time between introduction and the House vote was a mere 20 days.
'Today's final vote of 241-145 on passage of H.R. 800 bears out the House leadership's concern regarding this bill's dwindling support,' said Marlene Colucci, executive vice president for public policy. 'Many members who were thought to support the bill voted against it because of a growing backlash against the attempt to strip workers of their rights.'
AH&LA will continue to advocate for the protection of hotel workers' rights, track Members of Congress' stance on the issue, and keep the lodging industry informed.
Serving the hospitality industry for nearly a century, AH&LA is the sole national association representing all sectors and stakeholders in the lodging industry, including individual hotel property members, hotel companies, student and faculty members, and industry suppliers. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AH&LA provides members with national advocacy on Capitol Hill, public relations and image management, education, research and information, and other value-added services to provide bottom line savings and ensure a positive business climate for the lodging industry. Partner state associations provide local representation and additional cost-saving benefits to members.
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