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The '''Employee Free Choice Act''' is proposed liberal legislation that is designed to strengthen [[labor unions]]. It represented the high-water mark of unions' efforts to create a favorable organizing climate by changing federal laws.

The '''Employee Free Choice Act''' is proposed liberal legislation that is designed to strengthen [[labor unions]]. It represented the high-water mark of unions' efforts to create a favorable organizing climate by changing federal laws.

It was first introduced by Larry Miller (D-CA) in 2003 and again in 2005. In 2007, it was approved by the [[United States House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] by a vote of 241-185. However, it never came to a vote in the Senate after a [[Republican]] [[filibuster]]. It stood a strong chance of passing in 2009 .<ref>http://www.blankrome.com/index.cfm?contentID=37&itemID=1779</ref>  However, it did not pass in the 111th Congress, and stood little chance in subsequent sessions where the Republicans controlled both the House and Senate.  The death of [[Edward Kennedy]], one of its primary sponsors played, a key role in its defeat.

It was first introduced by Larry Miller (D-CA) in 2003 and again in 2005. In 2007, it was approved by the [[United States House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] by a vote of 241-185. However, it never came to a vote in the Senate after a [[Republican]] [[filibuster]]. It stood a strong chance of passing in 2009 .<ref>http://www.blankrome.com/index.cfm?contentID=37&itemID=1779</ref>  However, it did not pass in the 111th Congress, and stood little chance in subsequent sessions where the Republicans controlled both the House and Senate.  The death of [[Edward Kennedy]], one of its primary sponsors, played a key role in its defeat.

The main political goal of all unions in 2009 is to have Congress pass the Employee Free Choice Act. It would facilitate efforts to unionize a workforce by counting signed cards, rather than by holding a secret ballot. The bill requires that if employers and workers cannot reach a contract within 120 days, a government arbitrator will intervene and set terms.  Unions say the first provision is needed because employers now intimidate workers in the run-up to elections, and that the second provision is needed because employers sometimes go years without agreeing to a contract. Businesses argue that the first provision would expose workers to union intimidation and that the second one would allow the government to interfere in how they run their business.   

The main political goal of all unions in 2009 is to have Congress pass the Employee Free Choice Act. It would facilitate efforts to unionize a workforce by counting signed cards, rather than by holding a secret ballot. The bill requires that if employers and workers cannot reach a contract within 120 days, a government arbitrator will intervene and set terms.  Unions say the first provision is needed because employers now intimidate workers in the run-up to elections, and that the second provision is needed because employers sometimes go years without agreeing to a contract. Businesses argue that the first provision would expose workers to union intimidation and that the second one would allow the government to interfere in how they run their business.