49ers Roll Through North Dakota

Employee Free Choice Act

Members of Local 49, lending their voices to a labor union chorus echoing across America, barnstormed around North Dakota to demonstrate iron-willed support for the federal Employee Free Choice Act now before Congress.

The Act is a top priority for America’s labor movement because it allows for majority sign-up, enhances penalties for companies that violate labor laws during organizing drives, and makes it easier for workers to guarantee their first contract once they are unionized.

The multi-city tour (May 26-30) saw 49ers press their cause with the state’s leading Washington politicians and enlighten North Dakotans about the vital importance of this Act. Everyone within earshot heard the determination of the 49ers to see that the right of workers to freely organize without fear is the law of the land.

At the Fargo Dome, we handed out fliers during a legislative hearing attended by Sens. Kent Conrad and Byron Dorgan, and Congressman Earl Pomeroy. All three – who have yet to renew their support for the Act -- heard from us afterward as well.

With Local 49 Business Manager Glen Johnson leading the way as featured speaker at a rally and forum in Fargo, union stewards learned about the Act and were given a blueprint outlining how to educate the rank and file about how to pressure North Dakota’s congressional delegation to sign on.

In Bismarck, we made a spontaneous visit, pushing the Act with Senator Conrad and Congressman Pomeroy. The media heard from two workers who were fired during organizing drives, grabbing front-page space on the Bismarck Tribune’s Metro section.

An hour north of the state capital, we carried our call for solidarity behind the Act to a power plant with dozens of Local 49 members and hundreds of building trades members on the scene.

Great strides in a busy and enthusiastic week of activities were made by the 49ers in North Dakota, with Political Organizer Jason George, and North Dakota Business Agents Al Henke and Paul Ptacek playing key roles.

The difficulties of union organizing in today’s current hostile atmosphere are all too familiar to 49ers. We have seen worksites vote overwhelmingly to become our brothers and sisters, only to be denied the first contract by the employer.

This is why North Dakota’s congressional delegation must join all of Minnesota’s Democrats in the House and Senate who have already put their name behind the Act.