Bill would overturn NLRB rules; ALFA applauds effort

Bipartisan members of the House Education & the Workforce Committee conducted a hearing Wednesday over proposed legislation that would overturn recent changes by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) on union election rules.

“Introduced last week, the bill sponsored by Rep. John Kline (R-Minn.), the committee’s chairman, counteracts a proposed regulation from the labor board that would speed up union elections as well as void an NLRB ruling that would allow smaller bargaining units to form unions,” The Hill reported.

In a statement Wednesday, the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) praised Kline for holding the hearing on the Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act (H.R. 3094), which would provide employers with at least 14 days to prepare for pre-election cases before an NLRB election officer.

“Recent decisions by the NLRB clearly indicate its lack of concern for holding fair union elections respecting the rights of employees and employers,” said Richard P. Grimes, president and CEO of ALFA. “Chairman Kline’s bill will restore much needed balance between employers and unions.”

The Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act mandates union elections will not be held in less than 35 days and allows workers to choose the type of personal contact information provided to unions.

The NLRB had previously passed rules that would require employers to post unionization information and notices about collective bargaining rights, but recently postponed the implementation of that rule from November 14 until January 31, 2012.