Smithfield vs. UFCW

I don’t know how many of you have been following the unionization effort at the Smithfield Foods hog processing plant down in Tar Heel, NC, but it’s providing a great example of how unreasonable the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) are being in their demands and the lengths they will go to deny the workers the right to vote.

Yes, the union is denying the workers the right to vote.

Take a look at the offer made by Smithfield that was rejected by the union:

• All employees would be informed of the election process at a
  joint meeting held by Smithfield and the UFCW. Smithfield would tell
  employees they were free to meet with union representatives, and would
  agree to bargain in good faith with the UFCW if the employees voted for
  union representation.
• Smithfield would limit its campaign activities to a series of plant
  meetings with employees. The UFCW would be allowed to monitor those
  meetings and would be given equal time to address employees.
• All campaign messages would be approved for truthfulness by a third party. Both sides would agree to avoid personal attacks.
• Smithfield would provide the UFCW with an accurate list of current employees, including addresses and phone numbers.
• Campaign votes would be counted by a third party. Smithfield and union representatives would monitor the counting process.
• Both sides would agree to cease negative media campaigns.

Seems pretty fair.  But the union only wants a check-card process where a majority of workers would state their preference for a union but not actually cast a secret ballot saying they wanted to unionize.

Why is the union so afraid of a secret ballot vote?  It’s the same process it uses itself to elect its leaders, but it’s not good enough for the workers?

(HT: Labor Pains)