Last November labor unions poured millions into our state’s elections. Now they want their quid pro quo. They are asking for support for the Employee Free Choice Act, a measure that would allow workers to opt for union representation if enough of them signed up. It would eliminate the practice of requiring a vote by workers and would make it easier to unionize.As expected, the business community is fighting back.

To be sure the fight is being waged at this moment in Washington. Senator Richard Burr has loudly proclaimed he is against the card check legislation. Senator Kay Hagan, beneficiary of many union campaign dollars, has said she was for the bill. At the same time, however, she proclaims she is pro-business. Most observers in this battle would call this talking out of both sides of one’s mouth. But Hagan campaigned on the pledge to vote for card check in the Senate and she will probably stay hitched.

The vote in the Senate looks close and Hagan may be a key in the decision. If passed into law it could have repercussions in North Carolina. We have long bragged about being a “right to work” state, meaning we don’t encourage labor unions. When our state had so many textile and furniture manufacturers unions were aggressively opposed by manufacturers and large employers. Many, it must be said, didn’t always treat their employees well.

But there is reason for concern. Part of the reason why General Motors and Chrysler are in such desperate financial condition is because of promises made to workers they can neither afford nor keep. These generous benefits were given because of the threat of strikes that would shut down manufacturing and management, for whatever reasons, opted for peace at any cost.

North Carolina's policy should be one of a level playing field for both business and labor. In cases where employers obviously mistreated workers there should be effective redress. In like manner the collective threat of employees should not give them too much power in the operation of the company.

Unfortunately, there is little thought by either side to what is in the common good. How is the taxpayer and the consumer treated in these battles? Regardless of who wins the labor war the average person is often the loser.