U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-9) voted today in favor of the Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act, legislation that would preempt the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) from making significant changes to the procedures governing union elections.

“This legislation reaffirms long-standing workforce protections, protecting employers’ free speech and workers’ free choice,” Luetkemeyer said. “The National Labor Relations Board is continuing to put up roadblocks that are hindering much-needed job creation. It is imperative that employers have the time they need to prepare for a union election and communicate with their employees, and that workers are given the necessary resources to make informed decisions about union representation.”

The Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act is in response to a proposed rule by the NLRB to streamline the unionization election process, which industry groups say would give companies insufficient time to respond to workers’ efforts to unionize. The NLRB’s proposed rule would significantly change procedures that govern union elections by providing employers just seven days to find legal counsel and prepare their entire case to be presented at a NLRB pre-election hearing.  The bill would amend the National Labor Relations Act by imposing mandatory waiting periods of 14 days before a hearing can occur on a petition by workers to form a union, and at least 35 days before the unionization election at a company can then occur.

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