Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) today criticized two proposed rulemakings issued by the Obama administration.
The first proposed rulemaking, expected to be issued June 22 by the National Labor Relations Board, would take steps that would likely cut the period for union representation elections from an average of 45-60 days to 10-21 days. This would severely limit an employer’s ability to effectively communicate the impact of unionization to its workers.
The second proposed rulemaking, issued June 21 by the Department of Labor, would reinterpret what constitutes “persuader” activity under the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act. This would subject management attorneys, consultants and perhaps even trade associations to onerous and unnecessary disclosure requirements to the federal government.
“These proposed rules are clearly an attempt by unelected bureaucrats at the Department of Labor and the National Labor Relations Board to advance Big Labor’s agenda at the expense of American job creators,” said ABC Vice President of Federal Affairs Geoff Burr. “With the construction industry still facing more than 16 percent unemployment, now is the worst possible time for the Obama administration to create artificial hurdles to job creation.
“It appears as though the Obama administration’s job creation plan is to force unionization on employers, tell them where they can operate and then hope for the best. While this will create a boon in employment for Big Labor bosses, it does nothing for the millions of Americans trying to find jobs to support their families,” Burr continued. “These proposed rules show that the Obama administration is not interested in creating an economic environment that is conducive to job growth.”
The general public will have 60 days to comment on these proposed rulemakings.