Senate Dems defend speedier union elections

Senate Democrats are voicing their support for speedier union elections as the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) fends off attacks from business groups and Republicans.

The NLRB last month reissued a controversial rule that will speed up union elections, but several business groups are challenging the rule in federal court.

Despite this, a group of 16 Senate Democrats urged the labor board to “vigorously defend” the union election rule, in a letter sent Thursday to NLRB Chairman Mark Gaston Pearce.

“Reports indicate this rule will likely be challenged in court by those who oppose workers efforts to unionize,” the senators wrote. “We believe this rule will restore balance and certainty to the union election process and strongly encourage you to vigorously defend this rule in the face of such challenges.”

The labor board is looking to speed up union elections to as few as two weeks after a petition is filed. 

The Senate Democrats say the rule will prevent companies from stalling and delaying union elections.

An identical rule was previously struck down in federal court, but the NLRB reintroduced it last year on stronger legal grounds.