Proposal requires secret ballots

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A new coalition is targeting at least five states, including Nevada, with proposed measures requiring that union elections be conducted by secret ballots.

The effort being launched today by Save Our Secret Ballot is a business-backed backlash against union-supported legislation in Congress that would abolish the power of employers to demand worker elections before recognizing unions.

The group said it plans constitutional initiative efforts in Arizona, Arkansas and Missouri and will work through legislatures to refer similar measures to the ballot in Nevada and Utah.

More states could be added to the campaign, said Tim Mooney, a Scottsdale, Ariz.-based political consultant who is one of the directors of Save Our Secret Ballot.

The proposed state constitutional amendments highlight what is expected to be a big battle between unions and employers in the coming year.

Unions hope that the support of President-elect Barack Obama and a stronger Democratic majority can help win passage next year of their top priority, the Employee Free Choice Act. The measure passed the House last year but died in the Senate under a Republican filibuster.

The legislation would require companies to recognize and bargain with unions after more than 50 percent of the companies' eligible work force has signed union cards. Currently, companies can require secret-ballot elections be held.

Unions say the elections give employers a chance to pressure their employees against unionization. By contrast, some businesses and the Save Our Secret Ballot group contend that unions will intimidate workers into signing union cards if businesses cannot demand a secret election.

"When you have a chance to decide who's going to represent you -- be it in the state legislature, Congress or your place of employment -- it ought to be decided by secret ballot," Mooney said Monday.

He declined to identify specific financial contributors to Save Our Secret Ballots, saying generally that the group was backed by small businesses and entrepreneurs. Its advisory board includes members from the conservative Heritage Foundation, Goldwater Institute and Americans for Tax Reform.

The group is proposing a 47-word amendment to state constitutions, saying: "The right of individuals to vote by secret ballot is fundamental. Where state or federal law requires elections for public office or public votes on initiatives or referenda, or designations or authorizations of employee representation, the right of individuals to vote by secret ballot shall be guaranteed."

Fred Azcarate, who is directing the AFL-CIO efforts in support of the congressional legislation, called Save Our Secret Ballots a "shadow front group" opposed to workers rights that was created "to try to confuse the issues."

"They'd like to have the debate center around the lie that the Employee Free Choice Act takes away workers' ability to have a secret-ballot election," Azcarate said.