The end of civilization as we know it? The worst bill ever? That is how the right and much of business have characterized the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA). From Newt Gingrich to Mitch McConnell and business leaders including Warren Buffet the argument is being made that EFCA will in fact cost jobs. The 600,000 figure they’ve cited is based on a Chamber of Commerce funded study that uses questionable evidence to make the case that EFCA is bad for the economy.

Today on GRITtv Michael Goodwin, President of the Office and Professional Employees International Union, Irasema Garza Executive Director of Legal Momentum, Chris Kromm Executive Director of the Institute for Southern Studies, and Gene Carroll Director of the Union Leadership Workshop Series at Cornell’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations discuss what is really driving the fear behind the right to unionize.

So how would EFCA actually affect workers? Gene Bruskin, a former strategist for the United Food and Commercial Workers Smithfield campaign, says that the 16-year battle for union recognition at the North Carolina meat packing plant would have happened a lot sooner if workers not employers had been in charge. Finally we hear from textile workers who make US military uniforms and Unite Here! organizers struggling to form a Union in Puerto Rico.

Thanks to Disorderly Conduct, Brave New Films and American Rights at Work for video in tonight’s show.