Two For The Price Of One: Sen. Thune and Rep. Cantor Repeat Two Of The GOP's Favorite Discredited Talking Points

Employee Free Choice Act: Same Talking Point, Different Day

Sen. Thune and Rep. Cantor on Card Check: "Card check. Plain and simple, card check is a job killer. The Employee Free Choice Act, as it is deceptively named, would strip workers of the right to vote for union membership by private ballot, exposing them to coercion and intimidation. Just as bad, if a recently formed union doesn't agree to a labor contract with an employer, a government arbitrator steps in to determine salaries, benefits and working conditions." [Politico, 5/11/09]

The Truth About Secret Ballots:

CSM: "The Proposed Law Gives Workers A Choice Of Forming A Union Through Majority Sign-Up ("Card Check") Or An Election By Secret Ballot." As reported in the Christian Science Monitor: "The proposed law gives workers a choice of forming a union through majority sign-up ('card check') or an election by secret ballot. The current election process, governed by the National Labor Relations Board, strongly favors employers, unions say.  The bill also beefs up penalties for employers that discriminate against workers for their union-organizing activity, including treble back pay for workers found to have been illegally fired." [Christian Science Monitor, 3/11/09]

The Truth About Arbitration:

Talks Can Go On Without Arbitration "As Long As Both Parties Feel The Other Is Negotiating In Good Faith." According to the Center for American Progress Action Fund, "[t]he arbitration option does not mean that labor or management will be rushed into unfair agreements.  All time limits under the Employee Free Choice Act can be extended by mutual consent of the parties - giving the parties flexibility to use the time frames that fit their specific needs.  Voluntary negotiations can proceed as slowly or quickly as necessary as long as both parties feel that the other is negotiating in good faith.  The legislation would allow either party to seek mediation assistance after 90 days of negotiations.  After 30 days of mediation, either party can request binding arbitration." [Center for American Progress Action Fund, 3/09]

• The Possibility Of Arbitration Encourages Voluntary Settlements. According to the Center for American Progress Action Fund, "[m]ediation and arbitration prevents either party from stalling and bargaining in bad faith. The treat of arbitration - not the actual use of the procedure - tends to encourage parties to voluntarily settle. Available research shows that 70 to 90 percent of American public sector contracts covered under arbitration laws are reached without a binding arbitration award." [Center for American Progress Action Fund, 3/09]

Small Business Taxes: Same Talking Point, Different Day

Sen. Thune and Rep. Cantor on Small Business Taxes: "Taxes. It is tough to imagine that any U.S. businesses would endorse the kind of heavy tax increases called for under the president's budget. Small businesses, which create 70 percent of U.S. jobs, represent more than half of the 'individuals' to be hit by over $1 trillion in tax hikes in the next decade." [Politico, 5/11/09]

The Truth About Taxes:

Obama's Tax Proposals Will Affect Less Than 9% Of Small Business Owners.  According to the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, "only 8.9 percent of people with any small business income have incomes of over $250,000 and, thus, would even potentially be affected" by President Obama's tax proposals.  [CBPP.org, 2/28/09]