EFCA Resolution Passes Metro Council!

Nashville Supports Workers' Right to Organize

SEIU took on one of its last political initiatives of the year by urging the Metro Council to pass a resolution in support of the Employee Free Choice Act, also known as “EFCA”. The council resolution, 2007-76, is intended to send a signal to Davidson County’s state and federal lawmakers that workers have the right to organize and to be free from employer intimidation.

“This is a great way to start the year in Nashville politics,” said Doug Collier, Local 205’s president. “Thanks to the hard work and support of other local labor organizations – especially the Middle Tennessee Central Labor Council – we’re sending a message: Nashville supports the right to organize”. While the council resolution is non-binding and costs taxpayers nothing, SEIU urged its passage to identify which lawmakers support working people and the right to organize. Councilmembers who voted against 2007-76 were Charlie Tygard, Jim Gotto, Carl Burch, Randy Foster, Duane Dominy, Jim Hodge, and Robert Duvall.

In Washington, the Employee Free Choice Act has passed the House of Representatives thanks to strong support by the Democratic Party. All of Tennessee’s Democrats voted for EFCA, including Jim Cooper, who represents all of Davidson County. All of Tennessee’s Republican House delegation have voted against EFCA, as have both U.S. Senators, Bob Corker and Lamar Alexander.

The council resolution is expected to be submitted to Cooper, Corker, and Alexander within the month. To find out more about the national Employee Free Choice Act and SEIU's support for it, click here.  To read the Council's resolution, click here.

Our thanks to our labor allies at the CLC, the local IAFF, and other unions – and to the 26 councilmembers who voted to supported Davidson County’s workers on this issue.