james h. gilliam brownwinick 666 grand avenue, suite 2000 des moines, ia 50309-2510 telephone:...
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James H. GilliamBrownWinick
666 Grand Avenue, Suite 2000Des Moines, IA 50309-2510
Telephone: 515-242-2446Facsimile: 515-323-8546
E-mail: [email protected]
IOWA ASSOCIATION OF BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
Employee Free Choice Act
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What is the Employee Free Choice Act?
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EFCA (also known as “Card check”) is a bill that would amend the National Labor
Relations Act and significantly change the process by which
unions are “certified” to represent employees
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How do unions win certification under current
law?
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Unions can be voluntarily recognized by the employer. If the employer refuses to do so,
certification can only be granted by the National Labor Relations
Board after it supervises a secret ballot election
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How does the union demonstrate it has enough employee support to merit voluntary recognition or a
secret ballot election?
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Unions typically organize employees by convincing employees to sign “union
authorization cards.” Once the union believes it has majority
support from the employees, the union will approach the employer for voluntary recognition or will file a petition with the NLRB to hold an
election.
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What does a union authorization card look like?
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The typical card is postcard-sized. The employee is
asked to provide personal information and sign an
attestation to the following statement:
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“I hereby designate and select the ____ union as my representative and agent for
negotiation and collective bargaining with respect to
wages, hours and conditions of employment.”
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Under current law, what happens after a petition for an election is filed with the
NLRB?
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The NLRB will determine the appropriate bargaining unit and
conduct the secret ballot election after a 42 day campaign period. During the campaign period, both
the union and employer can attempt to persuade the
employees regarding unionization.
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How will EFCA change this process?
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EFCA will eliminate the employer’s right to a secret election. Instead, employers would be required to recognize a union upon being
presented with authorization cards signed by 50% plus 1 of its
employees
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How will the loss of the secret ballot election affect
employers?
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EFCA prevents an employer from educating employees and responding to union
arguments if it is unaware of the organizing activity
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How will employees be affected by the loss of the
secret ballot election?
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Employees lose their ability to hear both sides of the issue and lose their right to vote anonymously, creating an
atmosphere of coercion and retaliation when union organizers know which
employees support the union
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Will EFCA make any other changes to existing labor
relations law?
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EFCA will also significantly change the way the first
collective bargaining agreement is negotiated. Under current law, there is no time limit to negotiating
the first CBA
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Under EFCA, either party may request mediation after
90 days. Within 30 days thereafter, EFCA mandates
binding arbitration
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Will EFCA make any other changes to existing law?
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• Back pay damages trebled
• $20,000 civil penalties
• Mandates NLRB seek federal injunction
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What is the current status of EFCA?
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Introduced in both houses of Congress on March 10,
2009. Speaker Pelosi has stated it will not come up for
discussion in the House (where it is expected to
pass) until after it passes the Senate
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What are prospects for passing the Senate?
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As currently configured, 60 votes are needed to prevent a filibuster. All Republicans reject EFCA “in its current
form.” At least one Democrat (Webb) rejects
EFCA also.
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What should an employer be doing?
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Studies routinely indicate employees unionize for three
reasons:
• Job security
• Pay and Benefits
• Supervisory Treatment
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Studies also show that typically 30% of workforce
supports unionization
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Adopt a Philosophy on Unions and Labor Relations
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Audit Employee Satisfaction
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Make first line Supervisors Responsive to Employee
Concerns
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Review Employment Policies and Practices
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Website: www.brownwinick.comToll Free Phone Number: 1-888-282-3515
OFFICE LOCATIONS:
666 Grand Avenue, Suite 2000Des Moines, Iowa 50309-2510
Telephone: (515) 242-2400Facsimile: (515) 283-0231
616 Franklin PlacePella, Iowa 50219
Telephone: (641) 628-4513Facsimile: (641) 628-8494