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Bernie Sanders Intensifies Push for Union Votes


Recently, Democratic Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders introduced a bill that would allow a union to be certified as the exclusive bargaining representative based upon a card check process rather than the current secret ballot election that exists now.  This bill, the Workplace Democracy Act, would also allow a third party arbitrator to impose wages, benefits, hours, work rules, and other contract terms on parties that are unable to negotiate a contract within 120 days.

Readers might remember that Hillary Clinton, another Democrat competing for the Oval Office, has traditionally enjoyed wide spread support among union voters.  Given that union voters make up a large swath of the Democratic voting base (especially in the upcoming primary and caucuses), if Sanders hopes to win the Democratic nomination, he is smart to play to this base of voters.  Sanders has noted that while Clinton has support of union leaders, he believes he has support among the "rank and file".

Whether this bill actually becomes law is hard to say at this early stage.  However, given the Republican control of Congress, I would not hold my breath.  


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