• Search
• Login
• Register

NRCA Action Alert: Support Congressional Resolution to Block NLRB "Card Check" Regulation

April 16, 2012

On April 30, a regulation issued by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) that could allow for changes similar to card check rules in union election rules becomes effective. The Senate is expected to vote soon on a Resolution of Disapproval that would nullify the regulation. NRCA supports this resolution and urges members to contact their senators and representatives directly in support of the resolution.

Background

NRCA represents union and open-shop contractors and supports policies that maintain an equitable balance in labor-management relations. However, the NLRB regulation is not a balanced policy; it likely will result in dramatically reduced time frames for union elections, eroding the due process rights of employers and making it more difficult for employees to become fully informed of important issues before casting a vote on whether to join a union. The current median timeframe for an election is 38 days, whereas the NLRB regulation could result in elections held within 14 to 21 days. NLRB member Brian Hayes says: "The principle purpose of this radical manipulation of our election process is to minimize or, rather, to effectively eviscerate an employer's legitimate opportunity to express its views about collective bargaining."

The Senate is expected to consider a resolution (S.J. Res. 36) by Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), which seeks to block the NLRB regulation from taking effect. A similar resolution (H.J. Res. 103) by Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-Ga.) has been introduced in the House.

Take Action Now!

NRCA needs your help in urging Congress to block this anti-business regulation. Contact your senators and representative and urge them to support S.J. Res. 36 or H.J. Res. 103 because:

• The NLRB regulation could result in union elections being held in as few as 14-21 days, a dramatic reduction from the current median of 38 days.
  
  
• This will virtually eliminate the opportunity for employers and employees to have an informed dialogue about collective-bargaining issues before a union election.
  
  
• Congress must approve S. J. Res. 36 and H.J. Res. 103 to block this regulation that could result in small businesses being "ambushed" by unfair union elections.

How to Contact Your Representatives in Congress

You can easily and quickly contact your senators and representative by clicking on the link below to send an e-mail registering your support for S.J. Res. 36 and H.J. Res. 103, which would nullify the NLRB regulation. Sample text is provided, or you can insert your own words.

Click here and follow the instructions to contact your senators and representatives.

If you prefer to call the office of your senators or representative, you may do so by calling the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121, asking for the member's office and telling the staff of your strong support for S. J. Res. 36 (senators) or H.J. Res. 103 (representatives) and opposition to the NLRB's union election regulation. You may wish to use the bullet points provided in your conversation with the lawmaker's staff.

NRCA strongly urges members who live in the states of the following targeted senators to participate in this effort:

Michael Bennet (D-Colo.)
Scott Brown (R-Mass.)
Mark Begich (D-Alaska)
Kent Conrad (D-N.D.)
Kay Hagen (D-N.C.)
Mary Landrieu (D-La.)
Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.)
Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.)
Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska)
Ben Nelson (D-Neb.)
Bill Nelson (D-Fla.)
Mark Pryor (D-Ark.)
Jon Tester (D-Mont.)
Mark Warner (D-Va.)
Jim Webb (D-Va.)

After you have contacted your senators and representative, please let NRCA's Washington, D.C., staff know by contacting Duane Musser, NRCA's vice president of government relations, at (800) 338-5765 or dmusser@nrca.net. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

---