SJ Res 36 Regulations Governing Union Representation Elections
February 16, 2012
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE:
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region, urges you to support and co-sponsor S.J. Res. 36, a resolution of disapproval that would repeal recent revisions the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB or Board) made to regulations governing union representation elections.
These regulations replace a process that, in the vast majority of cases, worked fairly and efficiently. In fiscal year 2010, the average time for union representation elections was just 38 days, with more than 95 percent of all elections occurring within 56 days. However, rather than look at targeted solutions for the small percentage of cases that take too long, the Board made sweeping changes that will apply to all elections.
While the substantive regulations adopted by the NLRB are detailed and complex, the end result is that election time will likely decrease significantly at the expense of important due process and free speech rights. The simple fact is that employees deserve a fair campaign period to hear from all sides and employers deserve an opportunity to have critical election-related questions settled before an election occurs. Organized labor has long sought to radically reduce or even eliminate this campaign period, which was precisely the goal of the “card check” provisions of the deceptively named “Employee Free Choice Act” (EFCA). Congress was right to reject EFCA and it should likewise reject the NLRB’s new election regulations.
Due to the critical importance of this issue to the business community, the Chamber strongly urges you to support and co-sponsor S.J. Res. 36.
Sincerely,
R. Bruce Josten
