Public Wants to Keep Secret Ballots in Union Elections, Survey Shows

Four out of five people support the use of secret ballots to organize unions, and that number is even higher among union members, the National Retail Federation (NRF) reports. The NRF conducted the new poll with BIGresearch just as Congress considers legislation that could make it easier to form unions.

Congress is preparing to debate the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), which would do away with secret ballots in union-organizing elections. Secret ballots were mandated by the National Labor Relations Act, which also said that elections are to be overseen by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The EFCA proposes that the NLRB must recognize a new union if it is presented with signed authorization cards from a majority of workers. It also lets union organizers oversee the elections. Critics have argued that using signed membership cards instead of secret ballots as a means of voting could foster intimidation and coercion.

The NRF poll conducted March 31 through April 7 surveyed more than 8,600 U.S. adults nationwide. Of the total, more than 81 percent believe that votes on whether to unionize should be secret. Of those surveyed who are union members, almost 84 percent wish to keep union elections secret.

Source:

National Retail Federation: NRF Poll Shows Americans Support Secret Ballot In Union Elections