So the always enigmatic Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, has reversed field and decided to vote “no” on EFCA. This clearly damages the likely approval of the bill, especially as proposed, but it is far from dead. Specter was quoted in the Wall Street Journal today as saying “the problems of this recession make this a particularly bad time to enact” the bill. So clearly, his concern is more one of timing, than ideology.
But lets get real here. Lot’s of us have staked-out ideological positions on the proposed bill, when pragmatism would serve us so much better. For those opposed to the bill, the lack of the secret ballot election is anathema. I, for one, am not crazy about this provision. But pragmatically speaking, a majority of your employees still have to sign cards for EFCA to have an impact at your company.
You have every day to demonstrate to your employees that they are an important part of achieving company objectives. That they are valued, listened-to and treated like adults. That they are not just another cost line on the P&L. That doesn’t mean that tough times won’t befall your business. But when they do, you leverage your employees for more than cost savings. You ask them for ideas, commitment and sacrifice. But you engage them in the solutions.
Remember who has the steering wheel. It’s not the unions and it’s certainly not the politicians. You do. So perhaps a little less ideological outrage and a little more employee engagement is just what the doctor ordered. Then it doesn’t matter what Senator Specter or any other politician does, now or in the future.