Manufacturers are needed to be brought into the union's umbrella. It has been raining on the American laborer for far too long; raises are almost nonexistent and benefits have been shrinking for far too long. Meanwhile, public employee unions are more powerful than ever with pensions that are guaranteed with maybe not strikes but tax increases on their state and local governments. Years ago, the reverse was true except private employees could strike but in today's global economy that doesn't make much sense. It is far easier for manufacturers to locate offshore and outsource then it was in the past. Public sector jobs are nearly always permanent meaning it takes legislative action to reduce their hours, pay, benefits, and which runs into severe opposition from AFSME and SEIU. No wonder why everyone wants a government job these days! But most importantly having strong unions will raise the standard of living among American labor and guard jobs from going to illegals and overseas.

To counter the pro-union argument: if unions were so vital to the American economy, why have they been consistently shrinking for the past few decades? If their economic argument is sound, they should be able to convince American workers of that soundness; they apparently have failed. I have read that "right to work" states have, up until recently, had yearly increases in job growth, while states like Pennsylvania (where I live) have stagnated. One question I've not heard answered about EFCA is what happens to those who choose not to sign cards. What will their work environments be like? Private ballots protect those who say, "no," too.