The U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate March 27 introduced three bills to reverse key elements of the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) contentious “ambush election” rule. The NLRB’s proposed rule dramatically shortens the amount of time between when a union files a representation petition and when an election takes place to as few as 10 days in addition to requiring employers to submit their employees’ personal contact information to union organizers.

ABC strongly opposes the NLRB’s rule, and has urged members to take action to share their concerns with the NLRB and lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

The Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act (H.R. 4320), introduced by House Education and the Workforce Committee Chairman John Kline (R-MN), will ensure employees have a fair opportunity to make an informed decision about whether to unionize by requiring at least 35 days before a union election can take place. The bill will also give employers a fair opportunity to participate in the union election process by providing them with at least 14 days to prepare their case before a NLRB election officer.

The Employee Privacy Protection Act (H.R. 4321), introduced by Health Employment Labor and Pensions Subcommittee Chairman Phil Roe (R-TN), addresses privacy concerns by moving away from providing employees’ home addresses and instead allowing workers to control the disclosure of their personal information.

The Senate version of the Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act (S. 2178), introduced by Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Ranking Member Lamar Alexander (R-TN), establishes the same 14- and 35-day time periods and employee privacy protections contained in the House bills.

“ABC supports this much-needed legislation, and will continue to lead the fight against ambush elections and unfair workplace practices,” said ABC Vice President of Government Affairs Geoff Burr. “Employees should have access to balanced information, and be free to make well-informed decisions regarding unionization without the fear of intimidation that comes with the dissemination of their personal information.”

All three bills were referred to their respective Committees, the House Committee on Education and the Workforce and the Senate the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, on March 27, 2014 where they await further action.

ABC members have until April 7 to take action against the NLRB’s ambush election rule.