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The ten-day hunger strike at the University of Miami by 8 janitors is part of a six-week labor dispute which seeks to impose unionization without a secret ballot vote. Instead, the SEIU is demanding their union be recognized via a “card check.” But the card check process is highly unregulated and:

• Denies employees their right to a fair and democratic election by eliminating access to a private ballot booth. • Exposes employees to intimidation and coercion. • Often go hand in hand with a demand for neutrality where employers are gagged from talking about the negative aspects of unionization.

“Union leaders claim to protect their members,” said CUF executive director Richard Berman. “But this strike shows that SEIU officials will endanger employees’ health if it suits their agenda. Andy Stern stated that University President Donna Shalala could end the strike at any time by further capitulating to SEIU demands. Such is the rhetoric of every hostage taker. The great irony here is that most people hunger strike for democracy, not against it.”

Berman continued, asking Mr. Stern, “If you’re so against secret ballot elections when forming a union, why are you so in favor of them when it comes time to decertify a union because of poor leadership? If the employees want to form a union, just let them vote.”

To learn more visit: www.unionfacts.com. For further information or to arrange an interview please call Sarah Longwell at (202) 463-7106.

The Center for Union Facts is a non-profit organization supported by foundations, businesses, union members, and the general public. We are dedicated to showing Americans the truth about today's union leadership.

The Center for Union Facts is a non-profit organization supported by foundations, businesses, union members, and the general public. We are dedicated to showing Americans the truth about today's union leadership. For further information or to arrange an interview please call Sarah Longwell at (202) 463-7106.