II
Calendar No. 24
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 478
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
February 25, 2009
Mr. DeMint (for himself, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Burr, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Enzi, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Wicker, Mr. Vitter, Mr. Coburn, Mr. Corker, Mr. McConnell, Mr. Bunning, Mr. Thune, Mr. McCain, Mr. Barrasso, Mr. Brownback, Mr. Kyl, and Mr. Shelby) introduced the following bill; which was read the first time
February 26, 2009
Read the second time and placed on the calendar
A BILL
To amend the National Labor Relations Act to ensure the right of employees to a secret-ballot election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board.
Short title
This Act may be cited as
the Secret Ballot Protection Act of
2009
.
Findings
Congress makes the following findings:
The right of employees under the National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 151 et seq.) to choose whether to be represented by a labor organization by way of secret ballot election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board is among the most important protections afforded under Federal labor law.
The right of employees to choose by secret ballot is the only method that ensures a choice free of coercion, intimidation, irregularity, or illegality.
The recognition of a labor organization by using a private agreement, rather than a secret ballot election overseen by the National Labor Relations Board, threatens the freedom of employees to choose whether to be represented by a labor organization, and severely limits the ability of the National Labor Relations Board to ensure the protection of workers.
National Labor Relations Act
Recognition of representative
In general
Section 8(a)(2) of the National Labor Relations Act (29
U.S.C. 158(a)(2)) is amended by inserting before the colon the following:
or to recognize or bargain collectively with a labor organization that
has not been selected by a majority of such employees in a secret ballot
election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board in accordance with
section 9
.
Application
The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall not apply to collective bargaining relationships in which a labor organization with majority support was lawfully recognized prior to the date of enactment of this Act.
Election required
In general
Section 8(b) of the National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 158(b)) is amended—
in paragraph (6),
by striking and
at the end;
in paragraph (7),
by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and
;
and
by adding at the end the following:
to cause or attempt to cause an employer to recognize or bargain collectively with a representative of a labor organization that has not been selected by a majority of such employees in a secret ballot election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board in accordance with section 9.
.
Application
The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall not apply to collective bargaining relationships that were recognized prior to the date of enactment of this Act.
Secret ballot election
Section 9(a) of the National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 159(a)), is amended—
by striking
Representatives
and inserting (1)
Representatives
;
by inserting
after designated or selected
the following: by a secret
ballot election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board in accordance
with this section
; and
by adding at the end the following:
The secret ballot election requirement under paragraph (1) shall not apply to collective bargaining relationships that were recognized before the date of the enactment of the Secret Ballot Protection Act of 2009.
.
Regulations and authority
Regulations
Not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the National Labor Relations Board shall review and revise all regulations promulgated prior to such date of enactment to implement the amendments made by this Act.
Authority
Nothing in this Act (or the amendments made by this Act) shall be construed to limit or otherwise diminish the remedial authority of the National Labor Relations Board.
February 26, 2009
Read the second time and placed on the calendar