Senator Harkin Criticizes National Labor Relations Board For Failing To Protect Workers' Rights
By newsdesk - Posted on April 3rd, 2008
Renews Call for Employee Free Choice Act
April 2, 2008 -- Washington, D.C. – Today, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) questioned members of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and reiterated his support for the Employee Free Choice Act at an investigative Senate hearing he chaired on unfair labor practices in representation elections.
Strikers outside a construction site in Wilsonvile, OR: Photo by Lisa Norwood (CC)
This hearing comes on the heels of several controversial anti-worker decisions made by the Board in recent years. Harkin serves as Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education.
“I believe strongly that when workers join together and act collectively, they can achieve economic gains and worker safety that they would not be able to get if they negotiated individually,” said Harkin. “I want assurances from the NLRB that they are doing everything necessary to inform workers of their rights to organize and assess appropriate penalties for repeat violators of labor laws. If penalties are so minimal that employers can write them off as a cost of doing business, there is no disincentive to illegal worker intimidation, firing, and other retaliation for union organizing.”
In addition, Harkin pushed for more data on the number of illegal firings occurring around union elections.
Harkin continued, “I will openly tell you that I’m a supporter of the Employee Free Choice Act. It is clear to me that in order to rebuild economic security for the middle class in America, we must rebuild strong and vibrant unions; and to rebuild strong unions, we must reduce the unfair barriers to union organizing.”
The Employee Free Choice Act passed the House of Representatives last year but failed to garner enough votes to bring up for debate in the Senate. This bill would give workers rather than employers the choice between a majority sign-up election and a lengthier NLRB election. It would also increase penalties for illegal retaliation against workers for organizing, and assist workers and employers that are having difficulty negotiating a first contract.
Witnesses testifying at Harkin’s hearing included: NLRB Chairman Peter C. Schaumber and Member Wilma B. Liebman; Associate Professor of the Labor Education Research Center at the University of Oregon Gordon Lafer, Ph.D.; and Partner at the Baker & McKenzie, LLP, John N. Raudabaugh, Esq.
Source: Senator Tom Harkin
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