Employee Free Choice Act gains support of Santa Rosa council

<p>Santa Rosa’s City Council, following in the footsteps of county supervisors, added its endorsement Tuesday to passage of a proposed federal law that would make it easier for employees to unionize.</p><p>The four council members backed by labor unions in the past two elections — Mayor Susan Gorin, Veronica Jacobi, Gary Wysocky and Marsha Vas Dupre — voted to support the Employee Free Choice Act now before Congress.</p><p>If passed, the law would automatically result in recognition of union representation if at least half the employees sign pledge cards. Currently, the employer has the right to demand an election be held.</p><p>“The middle class has been getting creamed,” said Wysocky. “I’m proud to support working people.”</p><p>But council members John Sawyer, Jane Bender and Ernesto Olivares, whose election efforts last November were opposed by unions, either opposed the law or voted to abstain. All three said the resolution isn’t the business of local government.</p><p>“I wasn’t elected to take positions on national issues,” said Olivares.</p><p>The county Board of Supervisors approved a similar resolution April 14. It is expected to make the round in other cities.</p>