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Card-Check Bill Introduced
Recognizing that workers are under assault by political and corporate forces, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) isn't waiting for a Democrat to take over the White House before putting card-check organizing and other labor rights on the legislative table.
Schumer has introduced a bill to require employers to recognize card check, while barring captive audience meetings and other anti-union activities. The Employee Right to Choose Act (S.1513) would also put a stop to employers' delaying tactics by setting a 180-day deadline for negotiating a first contract. After the deadline, federal mediators would step in.
"With the economy in the tank and incomes of average Americans stagnant, workers need unions like never before," Schumer told the New York Times, noting that 32 percent of the workforce is organized in Canada, where card check is law in many areas. That compares with 13 percent in the United States.
Under the bill, card check would replace the current union election system. If more than 50 percent of employees in a work unit sign authorization cards, the National Labor Relations Board would certify the union.
Schumer said the rights to organize and bargain collectively "are the cornerstones of American democracy. They have been the twin springboards for unparalleled progress, enabling American workers to earn a fair wage, obtain health care, work a reasonable number of hours each week and achieve dignity in the workplace."
But he said too many workers aren't able to join unions because "our nation's method of labor organization is a biased playing field full of loopholes that unfairly advantage employers."
Schumer has introduced a bill to require employers to recognize card check, while barring captive audience meetings and other anti-union activities. The Employee Right to Choose Act (S.1513) would also put a stop to employers' delaying tactics by setting a 180-day deadline for negotiating a first contract. After the deadline, federal mediators would step in.
"With the economy in the tank and incomes of average Americans stagnant, workers need unions like never before," Schumer told the New York Times, noting that 32 percent of the workforce is organized in Canada, where card check is law in many areas. That compares with 13 percent in the United States.
Under the bill, card check would replace the current union election system. If more than 50 percent of employees in a work unit sign authorization cards, the National Labor Relations Board would certify the union.
Schumer said the rights to organize and bargain collectively "are the cornerstones of American democracy. They have been the twin springboards for unparalleled progress, enabling American workers to earn a fair wage, obtain health care, work a reasonable number of hours each week and achieve dignity in the workplace."
But he said too many workers aren't able to join unions because "our nation's method of labor organization is a biased playing field full of loopholes that unfairly advantage employers."