Catherwood LibraryILR School

Labor unions and leaders across the country contributed time, money, effort and considerable support to the Obama campaign. Now that he has made it to the White House, labor leaders want to make sure the president-elect remains on their side. Both Obama and Biden have previously expressed support for the Employee Free Choice Act, which would eliminate secret ballots, and require employers (via penalty fines) to contract with employees once a majority signed union cards. Yet, if Obama pushes immediately for the legislation he risks alienating businesses that also contributed heavily to his campaign and that he will need on his side when confronting the economic crisis and implementing his health care plan. A national ad campaign calling for the passage of the Employee Free Choice Act was begun Monday by a pro-union organization.