WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 8, 2005) – Stefan Gleason, Vice President of the National Right to Work Foundation, a non-profit charitable organization that provides free legal aid to employees suffering from compulsory unionism abuses, made the following statement in response to today’s so-called “International Human Rights Day” rally, organized by AFL-CIO officials:

“When union officials use code phrases like ‘make it easier for workers to organize unions,’ they are talking about their campaign to make it easier for organizers to force workers into union ranks regardless of their wishes.”

“Orchestrated to invoke the sympathy of the American people, this one-sided media-blitz ignores the widespread abuse of employees who choose to refrain from union affiliation. Big Labor is trying to build public support for the enactment of a new wave of coercive union ‘organizing’ privileges.

“Since employees are increasingly voting unions down, union officials want to change the law to clear the few remaining roadblocks in the way of their ‘card check’ organizing scheme. Union officials want to wipe out the secret ballot election process, get gag orders to prevent employers from telling employees about possible downsides of unionization, and require employers to hand over workers’ home addresses and phone numbers without the employee’s knowledge or consent. Employees often receive menacing home visits from union operatives.

“Responding to a wave of employee backlash, the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation has brought numerous legal cases to the attention of the federal labor board documenting illegal activities by union organizers under these so-called ‘card check’ organizing drives – including threats, bribes, and stalking rank-and-file workers. Other workers have repeatedly reported being lied to about the purpose of the ‘authorization’ cards, with some being told that they are merely health insurance enrollment forms, requests for an election, or even tax forms.

“Workers across the country facing such abuses are standing up to what Big Labor considers to be the only ‘choice’ that workers ought to have when it comes to union membership: Either pay dues to a union – or forfeit their jobs.”

The National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation is a nonprofit, charitable organization providing free legal aid to employees whose human or civil rights have been violated by compulsory unionism abuses. The Foundation, which can be contacted toll-free at 1-800-336-3600, assists thousands of employees in more than 250 cases nationwide per year.