RILA Urges Senate to Disapprove ‘Ambush Elections’ Labor Rule

In a letter to Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) requested that the Senate take up and pass a joint resolution disapproving of the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) “ambush elections” rule before its goes into effect on April 30.

“The ambush elections rule is just one of the many actions taken by the NLRB and Administration that promote a pro Big Labor agenda at the expense of employers and employees,” explained Katherine Lugar, EVP for public affairs at Arlington, Va.-based RILA. We believe Congress has an obligation to weigh in on this matter, which would have a dramatic effect on American businesses’ ability to grow jobs.”

The resolution, S.J. Res. 36, introduced by Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY) and co-sponsored by 44 senators, relies on the Congressional Review Act to overturn the decision allowing rush or “ambush” workplace elections, and would require just a simple 51-vote majority to pass.

Overturning the ambush elections rule, in addition to another NLRB decision that creates micro-bargaining units, are among RILA’s stated top priorities.

“If the recent NLRB decisions … are allowed to stand, today’s front-line employees will be denied the cross-training and advancement opportunities enjoyed by their predecessors,” added Lugar. “[A]bsent congressional intervention, the actions of the NLRB will increase economic uncertainty that will have negative ramifications for the retail industry, its millions of employees, and consumers.”