On the recordNovember 30, 2011
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I rise to make this motion today because I am opposed to the underlying bill, the so-called Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act. Mr. Chair, I hope that all of my colleagues have gotten their tickets for this show, because once again my Republican colleagues have turned these hallowed Halls of Congress into a place for political theater or, better yet, a circus, and the joke is on working class Americans. Today's so-called Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act is another scene in this unfolding plot to undermine American workers. It would be comedy if it weren't such a tragedy for the American people. Every day, the American people are forced to play the part of the clown Pagliacci. They watch Republicans put on this performance, claiming to want to protect American jobs and workers while behind the scenes they work to dismantle the rights of the American worker and, like Pagliacci, the American people must learn to laugh with tears in their eyes. Today's installment of tragic theater stars a bill which has been more appropriately renamed by my Democratic colleagues as the Election Prevention Act. This bill would permit employers to delay indefinitely a union election by mandating delays in the union election process and failing to place limits on how long an election can be delayed. These delays would allow more intimidation and harassment of employees, including hiring union-busting companies.…





