National Alliance for Worker and Employer Rights Demands Governor Schwarzenegger Save Secret Ballot Elections for Workers in California urges veto of Senate Bill 180 robbing our workplace freedom

WASHINGTON, D.C. —- National Alliance for Worker and Employer Rights demands Governor Schwarzenegger save Secret Ballot Elections for workers in California, and it urges veto of Senate Bill 180 robbing the public of workplace freedom that many have died to keep.

S. 180 is a bill denying civil liberties to the most vulnerable people in California - those who work the farms of the state. "Farm workers deserve better than to loose their hard earned rights to the schemes of the labor bosses," says organization Executive Director of the National Alliance for Worker and Employer Rights Will Fine. "Under this bill, labor bosses would be allowed to unionize through intimidation farmworkers to gain more members and their forced dues. Under threats of job loss these workers would be compelled to sign the 'card checks' in their homes. It does not matter that these workers do not often know what they are signing or that union thugs coerce them untill they get their cards signed."

"It is obvious under these harsh conditions for workers why the United Farm Workers Union looses more than half of all elections through Secret Ballot Elections. There is no doubt that SB 180 is a payoff to the union to save it by increasing membership at the expense of workers rights. Passing S.B. 180 means the State of California would allow more workers to loose their election rights to the labor unions. How long would all Californians be free when every voter did not have the right to a secret ballot election in private and force was used to control the outcome of every vote?"

"Do not listen to the calls and schemes from labor bosses on card check, Governor Schwarzenegger. Close your ears and turn away. Listen instead to the Americans that have sacrificed their lives to come to California to live in freedom. Why should S. 180 be forced on farm workers to make them give up their right to an election that should be private and free? Say no to these union shock troops that hold farmers hostage through Card Check, Governor, and veto S. 180. In vetoing this Bill, you send a message across the country; workers rights can never be compromised to the labor mobs again," said Fine.

S.B. 180 is likely to pass the California Senate soon and move onto to the Governor for a veto. The Governor has not yet stated a position on the Bill.