Vice Chair Rob Miller on secret ballots and Becker's outreach to Davis County

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Government is filled with sticks and carrots.

The stick: The Legislature passed Utah State Constitutional amendment HJR8 Joint Resolution Regarding Secret Ballot.

HJR8 does not prevent implementation of the proposed Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) as proponents claim. Instead, it simply dictates the method of voting if there is an election for employee representation by requiring a secret ballot.

Well, folks, that’s the way it happens now. Nobody suggests anything else.

But elections are only one way unions are established. There is another method under law. Employees and employers can already choose to voluntary associate through majority sign-up. It is the most common method for workers to form unions and has been since 1935.

The United States Constitution guarantees the right to come together and collectively promote common interests. This freedom of association cannot be abridged by the state of Utah.

The Utah Education Association is a good example. Imagine negotiating 20,000 individual employment contracts each with different terms. It would be a nightmare to administer. Management finds it beneficial to have one negotiation covering the entire group. The group benefits by creating an equitable situation within their ranks. And, finally, everyone has a central set of expectations. This is a classic win-win.

EFCA provides an alternate method to establish employee representation when the employer doesn’t want to enter into association. The way it happens now is by a secret ballot election held if more than 30 percent of employees sign statements asking for representation. EFCA would say that no election is necessary if a majority of employees signed cards – majority sign-up. The same way most unions have been formed for decades.

Much ado about nothing? Well, not quite. It is indicative of the Republican Legislature’s arrogance and determination to torment anyone that doesn’t pay up in loyalty or campaign cash. Democrats traditionally support workers and their right to organize, angering the powerful who oppose checks and balance in the workplace.

Do not be deceived that this amendment to the Constitution is about secret ballots or, even union representation. It is not. It is about the vindictive, raw exercise of power.

The carrot: Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker has been telling us for a year now that Davis County residents are welcome in Salt Lake, often speaking of the natural alliance between the city and our county.

Among his first acts was to visit with Davis County’s elected officials. Becker put forward numerous proposals where we can work together. One is to seek funding for regional infrastructure through a modification to the resort community statute through SB248 sponsored by Sen. Greg Bell (R-Fruit Heights).

It will help Salt Lake pay for needed infrastructure due to the large number of tourists and commuters who visit the city every day, including the city’s portion of a mass transit line to South Davis County.

This type of dialogue coming from the city is refreshing. If we are successful in persuading the Legislature to modify the resort community statute then Becker will be able to make good on his offer to help with the construction of light rail to Davis County.

I say we should take him up on it.