The U.S. Senate is scheduled this week to debate and could overturn the National Labor Relations Board’s ambush election rule.
Last year, the NLRB issued a rule dramatically reducing the time for unionization elections. Such elections could be called in as few as seven or 10 days, giving workers little time to become fully educated about the issues surrounding unionization and leaving business owners scant opportunity to prepare for a vote.
These ambush elections are perfect for union bosses, who are already organized before they spring a surprise vote on a workplace.
Some in Congress want to exercise their right to undo this pro-union regulatory giveaway. Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY) recently sponsored S.J. Res 36 to stop the NLRB’s ambush election rule.
Ultimately, the Senate will be debating fairness: is it fair to rush workers into an election with little time and information? Is it fair that business owners will have almost no time to prepare for the possible unionization of their workforce? Is it fair that small business owners – who don’t have the resources to cope with such a quick election – will find themselves helpless in the face of professional union organizers?
Ask your senators where they stand. Do they support the right of workers to participate in a fair unionization election? Do they support the right of business owners to have enough time to educate their workers? Or do they support union bosses in their attempt to change the rules that benefit them?
The NLRB has shown it’s willing to do whatever Big Labor wants. The United States Senate must stand up and say “no.”