The Kansas City Star, Mo., Randolph Heaster column

Jun 23, 2009 — The Kansas City Star

Randolph Heaster

Jun. 23, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Supporters of a bill that would make union organizing simpler gathered in front of a Home Depot (NYSE:HD) store in Kansas City last week, protesting the company's opposition.

Nearly 150 people from various labor, religious and community groups showed up in support of the Employee Free Choice Act, a bill that's been introduced in Congress but has been strongly contested by business groups. The bill would allow employees in a workplace to form a union when a majority signed cards wishing to do so. Under the current system, a card-signing campaign is followed by an election in which workers decide.

Opponents of the legislation contend it takes away the secret-ballot election and organizers could intimidate employees into signing cards. Proponents counter that the current system heavily favors employers, who try to change workers' minds in the period between the card signing and the election.

The rally, organized by Kansas City Jobs with Justice and the Greater Kansas City AFL-CIO, was held June 17 in midtown.

"It was a raucous affair," said Judy Ancel, labor instructor and president of the Cross Border Network for Justice and Solidarity. "Home Depot was picked because Bernie Marcus, the founder of Home Depot, was responsible for organizing the high-dollar opposition to EFCA. Home Depot's current CEO Frank Blake also has been an enthusiastic opponent."

Marcus, a Home Depot co-founder who is now retired from the company, has been a vocal critic of the bill. "Capital investment will dry up, and global manufacturers that have built plants here will pull out," Marcus told The Star last year. "This will put thousands upon millions of people out of work."

In an interview with Reuters last November, Blake said, "We feel very strongly that our associates ought to have the right to a secret ballot."

Supporters of the proposal have a different view.

"We do believe the workplace is a place where our voice should be heard, and we do believe we have a right to have input into the working conditions, benefits and pay," said Bridgette Williams, Kansas City's AFL-CIO president, in an interview with "Heartland Labor Forum" on KKFI radio. "In these tough economic times, it's going to be the citizens, who are predominantly employees, who bring us out of this. And they have to be working to do that."

Aside from Williams, also speaking at the rally were the Rev. Kenneth Ray, president of the Baptist Ministers Union, and Michael Rebne, organizing committee member with Kansas City Jobs with Justice.

A Home Depot spokesman said Blake's comments speak for the company's position.

To reach Randolph Heaster, call 816-234-4746 or send e-mail to rheaster@kcstar.com.

Newstex ID: 35947966