The Hill reports that Judge Robert Pitman of the US District Court for the Western District of Texas has ruled that the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) can go ahead with its new rule that would speed up union elections within companies, a process that business interests believe hampers their ability to prepare and make the anti-union argument.
Pittman tossed out a lawsuit brought by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and the Texas chapters of the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC); the plaintiffs promised to appeal the ruling all the way to the US Supreme Court, if necessary. In addition, The Hill writes, "Another lawsuit from a different set of business groups - including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers, and National Retail Federation - is still pending in federal court."
The story notes that "the NLRB’s rule - maligned as the 'ambush election' rule in business circles - could allow union elections to occur as little as two weeks after a petition is filed, critics claim. Currently, it takes an average of 38 days to hold a union election, according to the NLRB."
Pittman tossed out a lawsuit brought by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and the Texas chapters of the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC); the plaintiffs promised to appeal the ruling all the way to the US Supreme Court, if necessary. In addition, The Hill writes, "Another lawsuit from a different set of business groups - including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers, and National Retail Federation - is still pending in federal court."
The story notes that "the NLRB’s rule - maligned as the 'ambush election' rule in business circles - could allow union elections to occur as little as two weeks after a petition is filed, critics claim. Currently, it takes an average of 38 days to hold a union election, according to the NLRB."
- KC's View:
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My general feeling is that two weeks is way too short a time in which to have a considered debate about an important issue like this, though I'm sure the debates begin way before election petitions are filed. But 30 days seems like a more reasonable timeframe.
