Employee Free Choice Act and Labor Law Reform
It is good for the economy and good for American democracy when workers join together in unions, despite the claims of some conservatives who are waging a campaign to block important legislation that would make it easier for workers to form unions. Unions paved the way for the middle class and for millions of American workers. Furthermore, union workers earn significantly more on average in wages and benefits than their nonunion counterparts.
Most Americans report that they would join a union if they could. But only 12 percent of American workers are currently represented by unions, and those who attempt to unionize face an uphill battle. Labor law reforms, such as the Employee Free Choice Act, hold the promise of restoring workplace democracy for workers attempting to organize, boosting unionization rates, and improving the economic standing and workplace conditions for millions of American workers.
Featured Content
NFL Contracts and American Workers 
David Madland discusses the NFL player-owner dispute: what it means for football, how NFL contracts compare to workers' contracts, and what we can learn from the negotiations.
Waiting Game
Current labor law allows employers to indefinitely stall when workers want to unionize; including arbitration in the Employee Free Choice is crucial to stopping the cycle of inaction, write David Madland and Karla Walter.
The Bottom Line in Labor Law Negotiations
Lawmakers may debate the details of the Employee Free Choice Act, but the fact remains that the goal of labor law reform is to enable workers to exercise their democratic right to form a union, write David Madland and Karla Walter.
How Not to Form a Union
Animation from the American Worker Project shows how labor law gives workers a raw deal, taking you step-by-step through the union process.
The Employee Free Choice Act 101
What is the Employee Free Choice Act? Why do we need it? David Madland and Karla Walter explain and fact check conservative claims.
Unions Are Good for Every State
Interactive map shows that unions help keep wages fair and boost the economy. The Employee Free Choice Act would help expand these benefits.Workers Don’t Always Get the Red Carpet Treatment:
A History of Labor Negotiations in Hollywood with Interactive Timeline, March 5, 2010
NFL Negotiations 101:
A Primer on the NLF Player-Owner Contract Dispute, March 4, 2010
Card Check: Unions' Salvation?, February 6, 2009
Post-Superbowl Strategies:
NFL Labor Talks Begin in Earnest After Superbowl XLIV, February 4, 2010
Getting Workers Back on Union Rolls: Unionization Rates Unchanged Despite Americans’ Interest in Joining, January 22, 2010
Getting Real About Interest Arbitration: The Six Steps of a Working Arbitration System, June 18, 2009
Unions:
Walter on Why Unions Matter to Hispanics, April 21, 2009
A Big Small Step for Labor Reform: Costco, Starbucks, and Whole Foods Offer Hope for Unions, March 23, 2009
Bill Would Help Workers Form Unions: CAP Action Supports Employee Free Choice Act, March 10, 2009
Unions Are Good for the Economy: More Unionized Workers Would Be Even Better, February 18, 2009
Unionization Climbs, but Still Fraction of 1980s Rates:
Workers Want Unions, but Significant Growth Will Require Legislation, January 28, 2009
Issue Brief: Unions Are Good for the Economy and Democracy:
A Fact Sheet on the Employee Free Choice Act, December 9, 2008
Bush Economy Continues Tanking:
New Measures Needed to Help Workers , December 5, 2008
Idea of the Day:
The Employee Free Choice Act, August 8, 2008
Union Workers: Madland on Union Workers, July 21, 2008
The Write Stuff:
The Writer's Strike and the Economy, April 10, 2008
What Workers Want, Congress Should Provide:
David Madland in the Washington Post, August 3, 2007
Democracy at Work:
Opposition Distorting Worker Rights Measure, June 25, 2007
A Free Choice To Organize: The Progress Report, June 20, 2007
Check Here for Workers’ Rights:
EFCA Crucial to Workers, June 20, 2007
A Fairer Workplace: Senate Begins Debate on EFCA, June 20, 2007
Free Choice for Workers:
Congress Debates Union Legislation, March 26, 2007
Restoring Workers Rights:
Union Legislation Reopens the Conversation, February 23, 2007
The High Road to a Competitive Economy: A Labor Law Strategy (pdf):
A Labor Law Strategy, June 25, 2004