Tom Harkin Cheered, Lamar Alexander Booed on Day 1 of Card Check
By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers
Democrats moved today to introduce the Employee Free Choice Act, aimed at making it easier to start a union—and condemned as a way for unions to eliminate the secret ballot. The long-expected debate took a quick and nasty turn on the first day in the Senate when hecklers, some said to be from unions, booed the GOP foe at a hearing on the legislation.
Sen. Tom Harkin, who plans to introduce the legislation, held a hearing to discuss it. His remarks, which generally praised unions, were met with applause from the audience. Republican members thought that he should have quieted the crowd, but he said he would let supporters express themselves. But when Sen. Lamar Alexander dubbed the bill the "Employee NO Free Choice Act," the boos rolled in and Harkin, to some laughs, said that, while he likes expression, he didn't want to hear any boos or hisses.
Afterward, GOP aides told Whispers that they are extremely angry that Alexander was booed and that Harkin didn't try harder to quiet the legislation's supporters. "This is no way to treat a fellow senator or to deal with committee decorum," said one aide. Another suggested that it would fuel the division over the legislation.
In this audio from the hearing, boos can clearly be heard as Alexander talks. Harkin's admonishments also are audible.
Tags: Lamar Alexander | Tom Harkin
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Reader Comments
Ask Your Union Boss
Next time you think about joining a union, ask yourself whether you need another boss, because that is what that union chief down at the union hall is gonna be for you. And ask him whether he is gonna go out on strike with you if a strike is necessary. And ask him where you are going to work if the company discontinues your job because they are no longer competitive. The thug from the union can't answer any of those questions.
Employee Free Choice Act named incorrectly
What a joke.
The Employee Free Choice Act--that's the name of it?
Give me a break. This is nothing but a stupid, transparent effort to be able to find out who isn't for a union and then harrass them.
Secret ballots are a foundation of this country.
Harkin is a moron--I oughta know--he's my congressman. Haven't had a good thing to say about him in a decade.
Jobs
To whom do the jobs belong, the employer or the employee?
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