Perhaps I was too alarmist in my last post. While the loss of card check, if the partisan and reactionary NLRB does rule it an illegal tactic, will be a huge setback to union's strategic planning and organizing, such an admittedly calamitous event might trigger - by necessity - new strategies for organizing workers - such as "minority unionism" and other unorthodox means of organizing shopfloor power - whether those shops are auto plants or nursing homes, discussion sections, day care centers, or cafeterias. Still, a declaration that a board election is the only process through which unions can gain recognition would be devastating. 50% of all NLRB-sponsored union elections are lost due to managerial anti-union attacks and intimidation. Workers are fired for organizing in one out of every three union drives. As GET-UP and GSEU have seen, even when unions (we think) win elections, employers can have ballots impounded and prevent the results of the election from being recognized for years, exploting a flawed and biased appeals process which only favors management. This kind of ruling would be unnaceptable.