Workplace Rules Need to Be Fair

Statement

Too often, government agencies create rules that do not level the playing field. Instead they tip the playing field to one side or the other. The National Labor Relations Board (NRLB) recently handed down two rules that I believe will make it much more difficult for small businesses to survive.

The first is allowing the formation of micro-unions. These unions could be made up of 2-3 workers. A small business owner would have to spend money and resources fighting against professional union organizers.

Can you imagine different parts of a grocery store belonging to different unions? Would it make sense for the cashiers to belong to one union, the meat department belonging to another one and the stocking clerks belonging to a different one?

Another new rule concerns quickie or ambush elections. These are elections that are scheduled and conducted in a shortened time frame. The small business owner may be caught unaware and have little or no time to tell their side of the story.

An important decision like unionization shouldn't be rushed. Employers should have time to give their side of the story and employees should have enough time to weigh both sides.

In November, the House passed H.R. 3094, the Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act, to overturn these new NRLB rules. The Senate has an opportunity to do the same with the companion bill, S. 1843.

I hope the Senate will join us in this common sense proposal to keep the rules of the game fair.

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Sincerely,

Sam Graves

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