Secret ballots for union members will end

Today, the U.S. Senate will hold a hearing for President-elect Obama's Department of Labor nominee, Rep. Hilda Solis (D-CA):

Solis will be testifying at her Senate confirmation hearing on Friday. "On Friday, Mr. Kennedy's panel will question Representative Hilda Solis, who has been chosen to be the Labor Secretary." (Kate Philips, "Confirmation Hearings Update," The New York Times' The Caucus Blog, 1/7/09)

In 2007, Solis Signed A Letter Protesting The Absence Of A Secret Ballot For The Congressional Hispanic Caucus' Election:

Solis joined other female Democrats to protest the fact that the Congressional Hispanic Caucus' election was held without the traditional secret ballot. "[Rep. Loretta] Sanchez said that beyond the personal problems she has with Baca, the fact that the caucus' election was held without the traditional secret ballot was a key issue she has with the group. Sanchez, her sister, Rep. Linda Sanchez, and Reps. Nydia Velazquez, D-N.Y. and Hilda Solis, D-El Monte, wrote a letter to Baca on Jan. 5 calling for a new election." (Dena Bunis, "Sanchez's Ears Burning," The Orange County Register, 2/2/07)

• The letter argued that "It is imperative that our Caucus' integrity be unquestioned." "'As we prepare for the 110th Congress in which the Congressional Hispanic Caucus will have the opportunity to play a more prominent role, we believe it is imperative that our Caucus' integrity be unquestioned,' they said in the letter. The letter got no response." (Dena Bunis, "Sanchez's Ears Burning," The Orange County Register, 2/2/07)

But Solis supports the "Employer Free Choice Act," which would get rid of the secret ballot for workers:

Solis co-sponsored the "Employer Free Choice Act." (H.R. 800, Introduced 2/5/07)

Solis: "I rise in support of H.R. 800, the Employee Free Choice Act. As the daughter of union family -- my father was a Teamster and my mother worked tirelessly for twenty five years -- I know that my seven siblings and I would not be where we are today without the wages, health coverage and retirement benefits my parents received." (Rep. Hilda Solis, "Rep. Solis Issues Statement In Support Of H.R.800, Employee Free Choice Act," Press Release, 3/1/07)

Solis: "The Employee Free Choice Act provides more protections for workers, and levels the playing field for those who want to join a union. I urge you to vote for H.R.800." (Rep. Hilda Solis, "Rep. Solis Issues Statement In Support Of H.R.800, Employee Free Choice Act," Press Release, 3/1/07)

Solis Received High Marks From Labor Unions:

Solis Has A 97 Percent Lifetime Rating From The AFL-CIO. (AFL-CIO Website, www.aflcio.org, Accessed 1/8/09)

• In 2007, Solis Received A 100 Percent Rating From The AFL-CIO. (AFL-CIO Website, www.aflcio.org, Accessed 1/8/09)

Solis Has A 100 Percent Career Rating From AFSCME. (AFSCME Website, www.afscme.org, Accessed 1/8/09)

In 2008, Solis Received A 100 Percent Rating From SEIU. (SEIU Website, capwiz.com, Accessed 1/8/09)