The Republicans’ relentless attack on labor unions continues with the state legislature’s recent anti-union legislation. That legislation hides behind a sanctimonious “concern” for the secret ballot, but it is grounded in a fear and loathing of collective bargaining.

Everyone should have the right to bargain about the value of his product, especially when that product is his labor. Basketball players get to, why shouldn’t your bank cashier?

If you’re a phone worker in a cubical, any hourly worker, a part-timer with no benefits, a housemaid at a resort hotel…in fact most of us nowadays…perhaps eking  out a living with two jobs…you are expected to bargain alone.

Lots of luck. And if you’re suspected of wanting to bargain collectively it’s “so long, it’s been good to know you.”

The secret ballot prior to a union election is not quite like the secret ballot before a political election. In politics you might get a brochure or two…but you are not approached on a one-on-one basis and threatened with job loss if you don’t vote the boss’s  way.

Employer Anti-Union Behavior Is Widespread

Findings from a new report reveal that most employers take full advantage of the opportunity to tread on workers’ rights to a “free choice” before a union representation vote.  They do this by aggressively intimidating, harassing, and coercing workers in an effort to undermine union support.

Among employers faced with organizing campaigns:

30% of employers fire pro-union workers.

49% of employers threaten to close a worksite when workers try to form a union, but only 2% actually do.

51% of employers coerce workers into opposing unions with bribery or favoritism.

82% of employers hire high-priced unionbusting consultants to fight union organizing drives.

91% of employers force employees to attend one-on-one anti-union meetings with their supervisors.

One way to insure more freedom and less coercion in union elections is “majority sign-up.”  In the meantime corporate CEOs are getting golden parachutes, and your bank cashiers (for instance) have to bargain alone.

Miller quits CD8 race? Yer outa luck, sucka!

Because, sadly, once you’ve voted early, you’re done, just like on election day. Did you vote early for Republican Brian Miller only to learn that he’s withdrawn from the race ? Even though you voted for a person who is now a non-candidate there are no “take backs.”

Have you come to realize that the candidate you voted for is really a rogue and a scoundrel? Well he’s your rogue and scoundrel now.

There is a point to the privilege of voting by mail for the invalid and house-bound; for the soldier and ex-pat; but the Brian Miller phenomenon is just one example of what’s wrong with early voting.

There’s little doubt that early voting adds to the expense of the whole process, both for candidates and their parties. Between July 29th and August 24th…the start of early voting and the actual primary election…there’s plenty of time for more propaganda pieces, hit and counter hit. The expense is necessitated because election day has become 27 days long.

My main gripe with early voting is that it cheapens the act of voting itself. Voting becomes oh so effortless. You’re mailed your ballot, make your marks and send it back…little more effort than taking one of our polls here at TucsonCitizen.com.

The ritual of going to the polls on election day is a public affirmation of our faith in, and value of, our democracy. It’s certainly worth the time and effort of going to the polls, greeting neighbors along the way, and casting our votes. It is the public affirmation of our political faith.

Voting by mail is like taking communion by mail. Too lazy for church? We’ll mail you a communion wafer and a small vial of wine. Return the envelope for a blessing.