If you haven’t yet seen the new third-party ad touting Norm Coleman for his staunch support of labor rights–no, really–then maybe you’ve seen the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace’s earlier ad, in which a thuggish bossman-type played by Vincent Curatola (Johnny Sack from the Sopranos) dramatizes the importance of secret worker organizing ballots.

You’re supposed to think it’s a pro-workers right measure that CDW is promoting, but in fact the organization is a front group for business interests and right-wing think tanks trying to stop a bit of pro-labor reform called the Employee Free Choice Act. (See the About Us page at their My Secret Ballot website.

As a backgrounder at the pro-union American Rights at Work site explains, "Contrary to the lies and distortions displayed in CDW’s new TV ad and on its website, the Employee Free Choice Act does not take secret ballots away from workers. The legislation instead offers employees an alternative to the current, broken system that is slanted heavily in favor of management against workers. In fact, the bill would ensure that workers can choose their own union formation process, either through majority sign-up or a National Labor Relations Board election."

Here are both ads, the new Minnesota spot first. Pat Kessler of WCCO-TV has also done a Reality Check segment on the ad.

CDW: "My Pal Al" (:30)

CDW: "My Secret Ballot" (:30)