ATLANTA, Nov 6 (Reuters) - Home Depot Inc's top executive said on Thursday that the retailer opposes the Employee Free Choice Act, legislation that would let unions be certified once a majority of employees signed union authorization cards, rather than holding a vote.
"We feel very strongly that our associates ought to have the right to a secret ballot," Frank Blake, the retailer's chairman and chief executive, told Reuters after attending an event in Atlanta.
U.S. President-Elect Barack Obama, who won election to the nation's highest office on Tuesday, was an original co-sponsor of the bill. Corporate America is bracing for a bold offensive from organized labor, which strongly supported Democrat Obama, to push for passage of the legislation.
Unions say the Employee Free Choice Act would enhance workers' rights to organize, but companies complain it would take away employees' rights to cast a confidential vote on whether to unionize.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc, the world's largest retailer, has also stated its opposition to the union bill.
Blake said he expects the president-elect to take steps to improve housing when he takes office. Results at Home Depot, the world's biggest home improvement retailer, have weakened as falling home building, the subprime mortgage crisis and a credit crunch have led homeowners to cut spending.
"The underpinning of this crisis starts with housing. I'm sure the administration will address that," Blake said.
Blake spoke to Reuters after attending a press conference at the metro Atlanta American Red Cross seeking to raise $3 million in the state of Georgia for the charity's Disaster Relief Fund. Home Depot has donated $250,000 to that fund-raising effort.

(Reporting by Karen Jacobs, editing by Gerald E. McCormick) Keywords: HOMEDEPOT/OBAMA (karen.jacobs@thomsonreuters.com; + 1 404 493-3656; Reuters Messaging: karen.jacobs.reuters.com@reuters.net)

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