Statement | Unions and Labor Standards

News from EPI New Trump NLRB election rule betrays the workers it is meant to protect

Today, the Trump National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued a direct final rule that will make it harder for workers who want a union in their workplace to demand a fair election. The new rule adds unnecessary delay to the union election process. The NLRB acted without providing the public with notice or the opportunity to comment. We know that, under the current system, employers are charged with violating the law in 41.5% of all NLRB-supervised elections. Further, employers are charged with illegally firing workers in 20% to 30% of all NLRB-supervised elections. This rule does nothing to address these issues and instead gives employers more time to threaten, coerce, and retaliate against workers trying to organize. This is just the most recent example of the Trump NLRB elevating corporate interests above those of working people. The Trump NLRB and General Counsel have routinely betrayed the statute they are responsible for administering and enforcing. Congress must hold the Trump NLRB accountable and prioritize legislative reforms like the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act that will help to restore the original promise of our nation’s labor law—to encourage and promote the formation of unions and the practice of collective bargaining.


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