The Price Of Standing Up

A full-page ad appeared in the New York Times on Sunday for the Employee Free Choice Act, and it explained the story of Bill Lawhorn. The text follows…

After working as a forklift driver at Consolidated Biscuit Co. in McComb, Ohio for 11 years, Bill Lawhorn was tired of the abuse and disrespect. He and his co-workers decided to form a union: “We wanted to be treated like human beings. We wanted a better life.”

Three-quarters of the workers joined Bill in petitioning the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for a union representation election.

Then the company went on the attack. Harassment. Intimidation. Mandatory anti-union meetings. Threats to cut benefits and shut down the plant. Bill was told he’d lose his job. The company’s tactics succeeded with enough workers to tip the election.

The next day, Bill was fired. That was back in 2002. The NLRB ordered him reinstated with back pay and called for a new election.

But after five years of appeals and delays by the company, Bill’s still waiting. Without a steady job. Borrowing from his kids. And no union to help his co-workers fight for better wages, benefits and respect.

In Bill’s words, “The laws are set up for the employer to win.” And what happened to Bill happens to workers across America every day.

That’s why we need the Employee Free Choice Act (more info here). So workers can make a free choice to win better treatment at work and a better life for their families.

And take a guess as to which presidential candidate supports the Employee Free Choice Act (nice try on the “in bed with labor” remark, Tweety).