Employee Free Choice Act Introduced in Congress!

Key States Targeted In Massive Mobilization - AEA Urges Members To Take Action

On Tuesday, March 10th, the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) was introduced by the Senate and House of Representatives. This landmark legislation, which has bipartisan support, the endorsement of hundred labor unions (including Actors' Equity, AFTRA, and SAG) and the backing of the AFL-CIO and Change To Win, will level the playing field and put the choice of whether to form a union back into workers hands.

EFCA is critical legislation that will restore America's middle class and give workers back the freedom to bargain for a better life. More than half of all US workers - nearly 60 million - say they would join a union right now if they could. In a recent poll, 73% of the American public supports EFCA.

"This is not just a 'blue collar' issue, said Flora Stamatiades, Equity's National Director, Organizing and Special Projects. "Several times in the recent past, Actors who have asked to be represented by Equity have had their rights denied. The current system only adds to the power of the employer. Companies routinely harass, coerce and even fire people who are trying to form unions, and even when Actors win that initial fight, companies delay bargaining in any way they can."

I'm an Actor - why should I care about EFCA ?
EFCA will make it easier to gain Equity representation in the theater. Right now, the amount of time that it usually takes to win union representation through a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) election is longer than the typical Actor's contract. This means that in theater, the producer almost always decides whether or not a production will be union.

Even if your current work is already Equity, giving your fellow performers a better shot at gaining union representation will strengthen Equity as a union and improve standards across the industry.

Take Action
A coalition of labor organizations and activists are hitting the ground in key states where Senators and Congress members need to be swayed or reinforced. These include Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Email:
If you live in one of these states, please Take Action NOW to send a message to your Senator and/or Congress Member. unionvoice.org/campaign/freechoiceact_intro09/7seddd4076mdnb6?

View video: www.freechoiceact.org/index.php/petition/pages/our_ads

www.unionvoice.org/campaign/efca_supportjwj/7seddd4y7wix6tn

For more information, visit: americanrightsatwork.org or aflcio.org/joinaunion/voiceatwork/efca/

SUPPORT THE EMPLOYEE FREE CHOICE ACT