It’s Hasner vs. Klein….on union issue
by George Bennett | March 11th, 2009
Hasner (left) and Klein
In what some Republicans would like to be a preview of a 2010 congressional race, state House Majority Leader Adam Hasner, R-Boca Raton, is calling out U.S. Rep. Ron Klein, D-Boca Raton, over the labor-backed Employee Free Choice Act.
As noted here Tuesday, Klein was a cosponsor of the legislation last year, but isn’t a cosponsor this year. His office said he’s focused on the economy and will “review” the union bill.
Republicans, who call the bill an assault on employee rights to a secret ballot, are pressing Klein to say whether he still supports the legislation. Hasner joined in today.
“The people of Florida deserve to know if Ron Klein will stand up and protect their right to a secret ballot, or if he will vote in lock-step with Washington Democrats and strip American workers of their fundamental right to a secret ballot,” said Hasner, who’s promoting a state constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right of Floridians to cast a secret ballot.
The Employee Free Choice Act would make it easier for unions to organize by authorizing a union if a majority of workers in a bargaining unit sign cards asking for one. Under current law, votes on whether to unionize are done by secret ballot and overseen by the National Labor Relations Board.
Unions say the current system allows employers to harass and intimidate employees during the run-up to an election. Businesses say the union-backed legislation will allow labor organizers to harass and intimidate employees by targeting those who haven’t signed cards.
The legislation passed the House on a largely party-line vote last year but died in the Senate.
Hasner has been mentioned as a potential 2010 challenger to Klein in a district that was long held by Republican Clay Shaw before Klein won in 2006.
Tags: Adam Hasner, secret ballots, unions
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March 12th, 2009 at 7:59 am
Hasner running against Klein? Isn’t everyone fed up with the same type of people running for office. Hasner and Klein are clones, barely any difference between the 2. Both are career politicians, both will say whatever it takes to win, and both of them have participated in bloated, debt filled government. If Hasner can’t fix what’s wrong in Tallahassee, how can he be an improvement on Klein?
March 12th, 2009 at 10:08 am
This is about as great a match-up as anyone could hope for. But that isn’t the issue.
Unions are known for their intimidation techniques and corrupt practices, a secret ballot would definitely hurt that - so why fight against it? What is so dangerous about voting in secret that so many Democrats are fighting against it?
June 13th, 2009 at 2:14 am
[...] Wednesday, March 11th, 2009 The Palm Beach Post [...]
June 13th, 2009 at 2:19 am
[...] “The people of Florida deserve to know if Ron Klein will stand up and protect their right to a secret ballot, or if he will vote in lock-step with Washington Democrats and strip American workers of their fundamental right to a secret ballot,” Hasner said, as reported by the Palm Beach Post. [...]