Billboards target Evan Bayh

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Billboards opposing Senator Evan Bayh's support for the Employee Free Choice Act are popping up all over Indiana and Lafayette.

People in support of the billboards said the act will drive jobs out of Indiana.

But supporters said the EFCA is needed to give workers more rights.

"I don't see where it's going to hurt if an employer treats its people right. If employers doing the right thing for them," said Eric Clawson.

Clawson is part of a union and in support of the EFCA. He said he has nothing to gain by the EFCA passing, he just wants to see a level playing field for non union workers.

"If you're a union worker, why would you be in the EFCA? EFCA is to establish unionism in the workforce. It's a way of being able to organize and bring unionization to the workforce and its area," said Clawson.

Senator Evan Bayh is supporting the EFCA. It's a bill that supporters say would enable working people to bargain for better benefits, wages and working conditions by letting them join a union.But there is strong opposition to the bill. SIA Senior Vice President Tom Easterday said it will lead to a loss of jobs.

"There have been some employers that said they may make their decisions on where to locate or where to expand based on whether or not there's going to be union representation," said Easterday. "I would hate to see businesses not being expanded because of this."

The billboards direct people to a website, DoNotLetEvanBayhKillJobs.com. The website said more than 600,000 jobs will be lost if this bill is passed.

A spokesperson for Senator Bayh provided this statement in response to the billboards: "He has dedicated his career in public service to balancing budgets and creating jobs and has the record to prove it. It is unfortunate that outside companies and special interests in Washington, D.C., are driving these misleading ads in our state that try to scare working Hoosiers."

Easterday said job loss is just one reason he opposes the EFCA.

He said the bill would eliminate the secret ballot in union elections and give federal government control of employer-employee contract negotiations.

Clawson argues employers have more rights than employees and the playing field needs to be leveled.