Across the country, approximately 8% of the workforce is unionized. Speculation is that if the Employee Free Choice Act (“EFCA”), the union-backed legislation making its way through the Democratic-controlled Congress, passes, that number could double.
This is causing concern for many employers, who fear that a unionized workforce makes the company less flexible, innovative and responsive to a rapidly-changing global economy, in which customers only care if your product is feature-packed and low-priced. Union contracts and the rigid rules they impose can possibly turn a company into a slow-moving and out-of-date giant like GM or Chrysler.
How would the EFCA increase your chances that your workers would be unionized? The bill would allow workers to sign cards with a check-off box saying that they want to be represented by a union. If 51% check off the “yes” box, then you will have a union in your workplace. This method is currently allowed, but employers don’t have to recognize the check-cards and can demand a secret ballot election, which provides the employer time to counter the unionization attempt. Requiring an employer to recognize the check-card election alone as controlling does increase the chance that a union will start representing your workers in negotiating all terms and conditions of employment.
The EFCA would also require the company and the union to submit to binding arbitration if a union contract could not be negotiated in 90 days. This provision could increase the chance that a National Labor Relations Board arbitrator will be determining your wages, vacation policies, attendance policies, etc., instead of you as the owner or manager of the business.
The chance of passage of the EFCA in the Senate decreased in late March when moderate Republican Sen. Arlan Spector announced that he would not support the legislation with his swing vote in these difficult economic times. However, there will probably be some sort of compromise bill that passes, so you can’t totally ignore the possibility that a union may soon be coming to a workforce near you.
If you want to decrease your chances of ever facing a union election in your business, here are some proactive steps that you can and should take right now: