In earlier posts, I introduced the T.E.A.M. model as the best defense against an enacted E.F.C.A. This model provides a guide to ensure that your employees have a voice, input and performance standards to live into at your company. In other words, give them “a dog in the fight,” so that they don’t need another dog “fighting for them.” I further explained that “T” stands for “touch them.” See and be seen. Manage by walking around (MBWA) or “genchi genbutsu” as the Japanese call it. (more…)

Today’s Wall Street Journal features a front page article on the shifting sentiments of some Democrats in the U.S. Senate over their support for EFCA. The 60 vote “filibuster-proof” margin is looking in jeopardy in this chamber of Congress. So why don’t I feel good about it? (more…)

If the proposed Employee Free Choice Act becomes law, I suspect that many a smaller business owner has assumed that they won’t be a target. Under the old logic, if you employ say 50 people or less, you are probably right. But the problem is that the old logic no longer holds true. Unions earn “revenue” in only one way- through dues. The only way they earn dues is through increased membership. Naturally, they will want to target the bigger employers first (more bodies = more members = more dues), but it won’t take them long to get to you, especially since EFCA makes it so much easier to organize. So to deny you are a target is risky and naive. (more…)

So how do you make lemonade out of the likely lemon that is the proposed Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA)? It begins by shifting your mindset. Stop thinking in terms of “avoiding a union,” and start thinking about “engaging my employees in the business.” Only when you make this shift will you be able to see the opportunity that this “lemon” presents. (more…)

Ready or not, here it comes…probably. Yesterday’s Wall Street Journal featured an article outlining President Obama’s prediction that EFCA, or “card check” will pass. I don’t doubt it. President Obama is using his equity while he has it to push through his agenda, and make no doubt about it, EFCA is part of his agenda. And by the way, he really believes it is part of the solution to our economic woes. (more…)