WASHINGTON – Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee Chairman Bob Good (R-VA) criticized President Biden's union agenda during a hearing titled "Protecting Workers and Small Businesses from Biden's Attack on Worker Free Choice and Economic Growth." Good accused President Biden of favoring unions over workers and job creators, stating that the Biden administration is attempting to micromanage every employer-employee relationship in the country.
Good highlighted the role of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), which is meant to provide a level playing field for workers to decide whether to join a union and protect workers who choose to work for themselves. However, Good argued that the Biden administration has ignored the principles of the NLRA and has instead weaponized the anti-business National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to target business owners.
"The NLRB serves as the pro-union litigation arm of the Biden administration," Good said. "To this end, it targets job creators, adds burdensome red tape for small business owners, and severely reduces employee free choice."
Good criticized two recent decisions by the NLRB. In the Cemex case, the Board limited the right of employees to vote in secret ballot elections, making it easier for unions to impose representation on workers and businesses. In the Atlanta Opera decision, the NLRB revived an Obama-era standard for determining independent contractor status, which Good argued would crush the ability of over 60 million workers to earn a living as they choose.
Furthermore, Good raised concerns about a final rule issued by the NLRB that undermines the franchise model for many well-known brands. He highlighted the potential economic impact of such a rule, citing estimates that a similar rule during the Obama administration would have cost the franchise model $33.3 billion annually and cut 376,000 jobs.
Good emphasized that Republicans are on the side of employees who value their right to choose whether to join a union. He mentioned several proposed legislations, including The Employee Rights Act, Save Local Business Act, Modern Worker Empowerment Act, and Small Businesses Before Bureaucrats Act, which aim to affirm employee rights and counter the Biden administration's union agenda.
In conclusion, Good stated, "Make no mistake, when Biden brags about being 'pro-union,' he intends to line the pockets of union bosses and inflict pain on business owners and their employees."
Despite the accusations made by Chairman Bob Good, it is important to note that the Biden administration has not yet responded to these claims.
To find out more, go to this link: https://edworkforce.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=409889
