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John Quinterno, NC Budget and Tax Center on Employee Free Choice Act
16 Apr 2009 by Tessie in Federal Issues, Home Page, Issues / No Comments
“The Employee Free Choice Act will Benefit North Carolina’s Economy”Many opponents of the Employee Free Choice Act cite the floundering economy as the main reason not to allow more workers to unionize. Particularly in a low union density state like North Carolina, business interests argue that the Act would destroy our competitive advantage. To get to the bottom of this puzzle, I interviewed John Quinterno of the North Carolina Budget and Tax Center. John directs all research regarding employment and economic issues.
My first question was whether or not passing the Employee Free Choice Act would benefit North Carolina. John answered, “Absolutely.”
“The past 30 years has made it increasingly difficult for workers to choose how to form a union,” John explained. “The weakening of unions makes it harder for employees to ensure that they receive adequate compensation for their work. If the Employee Free Choice Act passes, then North Carolinian worker’s ability to bargain will translate into wage gains for themselves and their families.”
John went on to explain how wage gains can help the economy in a state like North Carolina, with the fourth highest unemployment in the nation. “The higher income levels that result from unionization allow families to spend more. By purchasing products and services, families feed into the productive cycle in which greater spending means higher demand, which translates into more jobs or higher paying jobs, which provides communities with more spending capacity, and the cycle continues.”
My last challenge for John was to address the complaint that passing the Employee Free Choice Act would lead to a massive increase in unionization in North Carolina, with potentially harmful consequences.
“Not so,” explained John. “Passing the Employee Free Choice Act may lead to a moderate increase in the percentage of unionized workforce in North Carolina, but certainly not a radical change. There are other factors at work that impede unions in this state, and those factors may still be at work, even if the Act is passed.”
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