Press Releases

House Education and the Workforce Committee Chairman John Kline (R-MN) and Health, Employment, Labor, and Pension Subcommittee Chairman Phil Roe (R-TN) issued the following statements after the House passed S. J. Res. 8, a resolution that will block an ambush election rule finalized by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB):

“Today, Congress voted to stop an unelected board of bureaucrats from trampling on the rights of America’s workers and job creators,” said Chairman Kline. “The board’s ambush election rule will stifle employer free speech, cripple worker free choice, and jeopardize the privacy of workers and their families. The House and Senate have firmly rejected this radical scheme. I urge the president to put away his veto pen, and stand with workers and employers by supporting this important resolution.”

“For far too long,” said Rep. Roe, “we’ve seen the Obama administration’s activist NLRB — which should ensure fair and transparent union elections — put the interests of labor unions before those of job creators and American workers. This latest rule is nothing more than an attempt to speed up union elections, violating the rights of workers to make an informed decision and employers to communicate openly with their employees during a union organizing campaign. As I’ve said before, this isn’t about whether you are pro or anti-union — the purpose of this resolution is to stop the NLRB from moving forward with policies that will effectively cripple the rights of workers.”

BACKGROUND: In December 2014, the National Labor Relations Board finalized new rules that significantly alter union elections. As a result of the board’s sweeping changes to policies that have been in place for decades, the right of employers to speak to employees will be stifled, the right of workers to make informed decision in union elections will be undermined, and the privacy of workers and their families will be compromised. In response, leaders in the House and Senate introduced a resolution (H. J. Res. 29/S. J. Res. 8) under the Congressional Review Act to block the board’s ambush election rule. The resolution will:

• Stop the NLRB from rewriting union election policies that have served workers, employers, and unions well for decades;
                        
• Ensure employers can continue to communicate with their employees before they cast their ballots;
               
• Preserve the right of workers to make informed decisions about whether to join a union; and
                                          
• Safeguard the privacy rights of workers and their families.

The House passed the resolution by a vote of 232 to 186. Following today’s action by the House and earlier action by the Senate, the resolution will now go to the president. To learn more about S. J. Res 8/H. J. Res. 29, click here.

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