Eye on the NLRB - Listing the (MANY) reasons we need EFCA

American Rights at Work has an important blog written by Erin Johansson that keeps track of all the latest anti-worker decisions by the pro-corporate Bush National Labor Relations Board. Erin has some very good -- and concise -- discussions of the most recent Board, including the infamous September Massacre cases. Two of those cases dealt with the subject matter of EFCA: card-check recognition. The first, Dana/Metadyne, held that immediately after over 50% of workers signed union cards and were recognized by the company, 30% of workers could petition to have an election to overrule the majority. The second, Wurtland Nursing, held that an employer could decertify a union without a vote upon presentation of a petition by more than 50% of the workers. These two decisions together mean that the NLRB's position on card-check is that it is not dispositive of workers' desire to join a union, but is dispositive of workers' desire to disaffiliate from a union.

For a good primer on the Board's current anti-worker decisions, read Harold Meyerson's recent piece in the Washington Post.

Alaska - A New Hope?

A new poll shows Alaska in play. We've had some discussions about this seat in the past. Considering Ted Stevens' legal problems, and the possibility of former Gov Tony Knowles (D) challenging him, I thought this seat was a serious opportunity for a pick-up. Others weren't so sure. Then, Knowles made it clear he had no plans to run and the CW seem to confirm Alaska remaining held even with Stevens in the seat. This new poll shows Stevens losing to Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich (D) by 47 to 41. I am not clear yet whether Begich is actually in the race (he does not have a Senate campaign site as far as I can tell), but this poll is encouraging. Considering recent news out of Kentucky, perhaps Alaska has just moved into our number 8 spot.

Updates on the Senate Landscape

Political Insider has a good run-down of the current Senate races. You can read it here.

Politicalwire.com has some bad news to announce about Kentucky. It's looking like Attorney General Greg Stumbo might not run against Mitch McConnell after all. Read about it here.