From: Labor Law Articles Traditional
With membership at its lowest point in over 60 years, unions are
steadfastly proving they still know how to play politics. Organized
labor has recently taken steps to reinforce its ranks through
legislation, introducing significant reform efforts such as the
Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA). The Act, in effect, would
eliminate secret ballot elections from the provisions of the
National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) related to union organizing,
substitute card check verification instead, and make employer
neutrality mandatory in the electoral process.
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Related Articles
Unions Continue Healthcare Organizing Efforts With Wins In Texas.
Despite losing some steam in its push for the Employee Free Choice
Act (EFCA), Big Labor continues intensive efforts to flex its
muscles in the healthcare industry. During recent weeks unions
organized some 3,000 workers in a series of elections at five
hospitals in Texas. Already entrenched in Minnesota, nurses unions
also staged a massive but short-lived walkout at 14 hospitals,
while another 12,000 nurses in California threatened similar
action. With a decidedly union-friendly National Labor Relations
Board (NLRB) also in place, unions remain intent on advancing their
agenda, especially in healthcare. Thus, hospital and other industry
employers must remain vigilant and prepared.
Unions Continue Healthcare Organizing Efforts With Wins In Texas.
Despite losing some steam in its push for the Employee Free Choice
Act (EFCA), Big Labor continues intensive efforts to flex its
muscles in the healthcare industry. During recent weeks unions
organized some 3,000 workers in a series of elections at five
hospitals in Texas. Already entrenched in Minnesota, nurses unions
also staged a massive but short-lived walkout at 14 hospitals,
while another 12,000 nurses in California threatened similar
action. With a decidedly union-friendly National Labor Relations
Board (NLRB) also in place, unions remain intent on advancing their
agenda, especially in healthcare. Thus, hospital and other industry
employers must remain vigilant and prepared.
It's Not Over Yet: What You Don't Know About the EFCA.
After overwhelming opposition from businesses, other employers and
a tremendous investment of resources by the U.S. Chamber of
Commerce, supporters of the so-called "Card Check" bill have
conceded defeat with respect to the most controversial provision of
the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) and abandoned the idea of
trying to convert the National Labor Relations Act's (NLRA) current
secret ballot system to one where a simple majority of eligible
employees' signing union cards would establish a union. It became
apparent in late spring that certain moderate Democratic Senators
would not vote in favor of the card-check provision, making it
impossible for the EFCA's supporters to acquire the
filibuster-proof 60 votes necessary to pass the bill in its current
form.
EFCA Update: Expedited Election to Replace "Card Check" as Senators Broker Labor Law Compromise.
The Senate plans to drop the “card check”
provision from the Employee Free Choice Act
(“EFCA”), a bill that seeks to alter the
landscape of American labor law by making it easier for unions to
organize workers, according to late reports from Washington, D.C.
Despite a seemingly “filibuster proof”
Democratic Senate majority – 60 of the 100 Senate
seats – a handful of Democratic senators announced
recently that they would not support EFCA as initially proposed
because the “card check” provision
effectively eliminated workersÂ’ rights to vote by
secret ballot on unionization. At least one of the dissenting
Democrats, Senator Arlen Specter, while still a Republican, also
indicated dissatisfaction with the mandatory arbitration provisions
of the proposed legislation.
State Law Headlines: Changes You Need to Know About.
We have all seen the headlines. One of President Obama's first acts
after taking office was to sign into law the Lily Ledbetter Act,
which effectively reversed a United States Supreme Court decision
involving the timing of lawsuits under the Equal Pay Act. Employers
also know that unions are flexing their muscle after years of
support of Democratic candidates and unprecedented support of
President Obama's campaign for President. The unions' goal is the
passage of the Employee Free Choice Act, otherwise characterized as
the "card check" legislation, because it eliminates secret ballot
elections now required to unionize an employer.
