Employee Free Choice Act Introduced in House of Representatives and Senate

March 11, 2009

The Employee Free Choice Act was introduced in the House of Representatives and Senate on March 10, marking the beginning of a battle in Washington over the restoration of workers' rights to form a union.

Among other important gains, the EFCA would give workers the option of forming a union by getting a majority of employees to sign cards without having to hold a secret ballot election. While this option is currently available to workers, current laws mandate that an employer, not the employees, must agree to recognize a union through majority cards. The EFCA would also stiffen penalties for employers found to be violating workers rights.

"This bill is extremely important to every working man and woman in America," said IAEP National Director Matthew Levy. "It could eliminate management's costly union busting campaigns and help improve wages, benefits and job security across the country."

Passage of the EFCA would mean employers could no longer use the 42-day campaign period before an NLRB secret election to intimidate employees. The bill would also mandate that if management and the union cannot come to an agreement within 120 days of contract negotiations, a federal arbitrator will intervene and set parameters for further bargaining.

"This legislation will provide American workers with the backing they need to further strengthen their voice in their workplace," said Levy. "Management's current ability to intimidate employees undermines a worker's right to form a union for the betterment of their career and family."

The IAEP encourages its members to contact their representatives in the House and Senate and ask them to support the hard working men and women of America through the passage of the EFCA. Ask your representatives to support this legislation today.

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