CO Small Businesses Say Worker Rights Work for Them
Get the Flash Player to see this player.
June 9, 2009
Denver - A number of Colorado small businesses are signing on to support a bill in Congress focusing on worker rights, because they say it will help make sure they have a steady supply of customers in the future. The Employee Free Choice Act gives employees a stronger voice in how to organize a workplace, and although it's being opposed by some big businesses that worry about higher wages eating into the bottom lines, Terri Monley, co-owner of Gate City Moving in Denver, says it's those middle-class wages that keep her business going.
"A way to really get this economy going again is to start building up the middle class by having people make decent wages."
Monley says the numbers show that more employees in unions is good news for small businesses.
"In communities where there are large numbers of people working at larger enterprises who are unionized, the small businesses do much better."
Robert Andrews owns E-Z E85 in Southern Colorado, which converts vehicles to use alternative fuel. He says when workers feel like they have a say it boosts morale, productivity and longevity.
"Employees being empowered brings a better work force, and also brings a better business."
Some of the country's biggest corporations are fighting the Employee Free Choice Act because they say it takes away the right to a secret ballot on union votes, and they warn it could lead to the loss of jobs. Supporters say that, although the Act would not require a secret ballot, it doesn't take away the right to one.
Small business owners such as Monley also say it would help make them and numerous other companies more competitive. More than 150 Colorado businesses have already signed on in support of the measure.