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Opening Statement of House Education and the Workforce Chairman John Kline (remarks as prepared):
This week, the Wall Street Journal noted that “the stumbling recovery has also proven to be the worst since the economic disaster of the 1930s." With the backdrop of this difficult economy, we meet today to discuss the National Labor Relations Board’s recent proposal to rush union elections. This proposal is the latest example of an activist NLRB crafting a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist. The proposal will enact sweeping change to the nation’s workplaces at a time when many employers are struggling to keep their businesses open and nearly 14 million individuals are searching for work. It is a step in the wrong direction, and we must reverse course.
The board’s flawed proposal will upend an election system that has served employers and workers well for decades. On average, elections are held within 31 days of the date a petition is filed. Last year, 95 percent of all initial elections were conducted in less than 60 days. In 2009, the median time between notice of a pre-election hearing and the end of the same hearing was just 13 days. Acting General Counsel Lafe Solomon, someone who is no shill for big business, described this record as “outstanding" and “excellent casehandling performance."
I realize there are times when cases simply take too long to resolve, creating frustration for employers and workers. Any party that causes needless delay should be held accountable. However, I believe Mr. Solomon’s strong endorsement of the board’s record suggests these instances are exceptions to the rule.
Despite this record of success, the Obama board seems to believe the current process isn’t doing enough to advance the cause of Big Labor. Unions currently win nearly 70 percent of all elections, yet the rules of the game are being rewritten to further tilt the playing field in favor of union interests. Under the board’s proposal, a union election could occur in as little as 10 days. Where Big Labor can’t convince workers to unionize through an open and fair process, the NLRB will step in to stifle an employer’s free speech and undermine an employee’s free choice.
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To read more about today's hearing, visit www.republicans-edlabor.house.gov/hearings.
