News

Constitutional Class Sizes
The Miami Herald reports that Florida’s statewide teachers union has filed a lawsuit to stop the state from counting votes on a constitutional amendment that would alter class sizes in the state. A lawyer for Florida’s statewide teachers union asked a judge Wednesday to block the counting of votes cast on the Legislature’s proposed state [more...]

Posted Thu, 09 Sep 2010 .

It’s Hard to Get Specific When Everything Specific Is Shot Down
There was a minor dustup over at the Huffington Post when Davis Guggenheim (the director of the pro-education reform documentary Waiting for “Superman”) was criticized by Dan Brown (not the author of The Da Vinci Code, but a schoolteacher) for offering gauzy platitudes instead of actual suggestions for reform. Wrote Brown: Guggenheim presents his teacher [more...]

Posted Wed, 08 Sep 2010 .

Read more at LaborPains.org

PRESS RELEASE
New University Survey of Labor Economists Shows Overwhelming Opposition to EFCA, Binding Arbitration
Majority of Economists Believe Increased Unionization Will Have a Negative Effect on the Economy

8/12/09

Washington D.C. – A new survey of nine hundred and twenty-five (925) labor economists conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center for the Center for Union Facts illustrates a growing consensus among experts that increased unionization will have a negative effect on the economy. The survey further indicates that labor economists are overwhelmingly opposed to a bill currently before Congress that would radically overhaul existing labor law at the expense of American businesses. Their opposition grew even more fervent when they learned about EFCA’s binding arbitration clause, which would impose outside government arbitrators in the event of a contract dispute. The main findings of the survey are as follows: •Nearly two-thirds of economists surveyed believe Congress should not pass the Employee Free Choice Act.

•When informed about EFCA's binding arbitration clause, the percentage of economists in favor of the bill declined from 36% to just 27%.

•58% percent of economists believe that increased unionization would have a negative effect on President Obama's job creation program, while only 22% believe it would have a positive effect.

•By a ratio of more than 3 to 1, economists surveyed believe that changes to the economy and business climate — rather than employer resistance — are likely to blame for the recent decline in union membership.

“As President Obama looks for ways to pull the country out of its economic downturn, he should heed the opinions of economic experts who overwhelmingly believe that increased unionization will only further hinder our economic condition,” said Richard Berman, Executive Director of the Center for Union Facts. “Legislation like the curiously named Employee Free Choice Act, with its illogical binding arbitration clause, will only make things worse for American businesses and their employees.”

The Center for Union Facts is a non-profit organization supported by foundations, businesses, union members, and the general public. We are dedicated to showing Americans the truth about today's union leadership. For further information or to arrange an interview please call Sarah Longwell at (202) 463-7106.