Michigan’s chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business, or NFIB, is taking a strong stance against the recently introduced measure known as the PRO Act — as in Protecting the Right to Organize. In fact, they are calling on business members to contact elected officials in the U.S. House and actively ask them to oppose that act, H.R. 2474.
Contending that “Labor unions have been in decline for decades,” the NFIB says that the PRO Act currently under consideration in Congress, is working to rebuild union membership by fundamentally changing how union elections are held. They argue, “Perhaps most concerning for small businesses is that the PRO Act would eliminate the secret ballot process, creating an environment ripe for coercion.”
NFIB materials say, “Specifically, the PRO Act delivers even more power to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), which oversees union elections. If a union loses an election in a workplace, the NLRB can file a complaint, claiming the employer interfered in the election process – whether or not that’s true. Once the complaint is filed, regardless of merit, and the NLRB obtains authorization cards from a majority of workers – it can simply nullify the election and establish the union. This takes away the right to a secret ballot election.”
The business advocacy organization adds, “What’s more, the PRO Act would require employers to share their employees’ private contact information with union organizers in advance of an election without the employees’ consent. Furthermore, the PRO Act would allow union members to boycott anyone in a supply chain even if they don’t work directly for the company.”
NFIB Acting President Brad Close says, “The PRO Act is a union wish list that will hurt workers, consumers, small businesses, and the economy.”
NFIB advocates say the bill doesn’t stop there, either, adding, “It also includes restrictions on the use of subcontractors and requires employees in heavily unionized industries to pay dues – whether or not they are part of the union – known as a ‘closed shop.'”
The dispatch from NFIB concludes, “Small businesses work hard to attract, train, and retain its workforce. H.R. 2474 would be a gift to unions that would hurt both employers and employees.”
