(Washington, DC) – Today U.S. Congressman Dean Heller (R-NV) sent a letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) requesting a meeting to specifically talk about the impacts of Employee Free Choice Act (H.R. 1409) will have on businesses’ ability to create and retain jobs in the United States.  The Employee Free Choice Act seeks to end the use of secret ballot voting when deciding to join a union, exposing employees to intimidation and coercion.  The text of Heller’s letter to Speaker Pelosi is below. 

March 12, 2009

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Speaker of the House                             
H-232, U.S. Capitol                            
Washington, DC 20515                             

Dear Speaker Pelosi:

I am writing you on a serious issue of great importance to the citizens of Nevada.  During these tough economic times, job retention and creation must be the top priority for Congress.  Unfortunately, I was very displeased to see that the House of Representatives is considering taking action on the Employee Free Choice Act which restricts the rights of employees and threatens the ability of businesses to create and retain jobs in the United States.

The Employee Free Choice Act is one of the worst power seizures by special interests and labor lobbyists that I have seen during my time in public service.  This legislation at its core will threaten American jobs and harm small and large businesses alike that are already struggling to make ends meet.  In fact, a recent economic study found that if the Employee Free Choice Act becomes law, 600,000 jobs could be lost by the end of 2010.  Our country and Nevada cannot afford this.  Any further job losses created by the Employee Free Choice Act would be devastating to Nevada workers who in some communities are facing unemployment rates as high as 15.1%.

Recently, I and a coalition of former Secretaries of State wrote to President Obama requesting that he defend the integrity of voting rights in our states and ensure our constituents had the right to make unionization decisions in free, fair, and secret election.  I am disappointed to say that the President has yet to respond to our letter.  President Obama has said many times that more bipartisanship is needed in Washington D.C.  Therefore, I request a meeting with you to discuss this important issue in person so that I can express the grave concerns the citizens of Nevada have expressed to me.  Thank you for your prompt attention to my concerns and please feel free to contact me for further information.  I look forward to working with you to facilitate this meeting request.
                                                           
     Sincerely,

 

     DEAN HELLER
     Member of Congress

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