CEI to Score Senate Vote on NLRB Ambush Election Rule

Washington, D.C., April 23, 2012 – This week, the Senate is expected to vote on S.J. Res 36, the Joint Resolution of Disapproval to the NLRB Ambush Election Rule. The resolution would protect workers’ rights by preventing what are known as “ambush elections.” The Competitive Enterprise Institute’s labor policy analysts will score the Senate vote and incorporate it into CEI’s Congressional Labor Policy Scorecard, which is maintained and updated on WorkplaceChoice.org. The scorecard reflects congressional voting records on all significant legislation affecting worker rights.

In addition to joining with over 25 conservative and free market organizations urging Senators to vote for the resolution, CEI will give a favorable score to Senators who protect workers and vote for S.J. Res 36.

In December the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued a rule to expedite unionization elections to as little as 10 days from the average of about a month. This “ambush election rule” allows union bosses—who in most cases have secretly campaigned for months—to spring elections on workers and employers before either has a fair chance to learn their rights. Job creators are left with little time to explain their views to employees.

To repeal the NLRB’s ambush election rule, U.S. Senator Mike Enzi (R-Wyo) has introduced S.J. Res 26, the Joint Resolution of Disapproval of the NLRB Ambush Election Rule. By using the Congressional Review Act and the legislative powers granted to them by Article I, Section 1 of the Constitution, Congress can stop the unaccountable federal bureaucrats at the NLRB.

Now, the Senate has an opportunity to make their views known on the union’s ambush election rule.

 

Statement by Vincent Vernuccio, CEI Labor Policy Counsel
The unelected bureaucrats at the NLRB went too far in enacting a rule to expedite union elections to as little as 10 days. The only winners in this scenario are union bosses who collect forced dues. As usual their win comes at the expense of workers and job creators.  Anyone who wants workers to be able to make a fully informed decision on unionization should vote repeal the NLRB’s Ambush Election Rule by supporting Sen Enzi’s (R-Wyo) S.J. Res 36.

For more information on the ambush election rule and the Congressional Review Act the  read Vernuccio’s Washington Times op-ed with Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-GA) “Bringing Democracy Back to the Workplace.”