President Hansen Speaks Out on the NLRB's Rule to Modernize the Union Election Process

Joe Hansen, International President of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Union, today released the following statement after the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) approved a final rule to modernize the union election process.

"This NLRB rule is a modest but important first step toward ensuring a level playing field for workers in the union election process. Preventing unnecessary delays and frivolous litigation means less time for employers to intimidate, harass, and in some cases fire pro-union employees. Every worker has the right to decide whether he or she wants a union, free of interference.

“Now it is time for the Senate to confirm President Obama’s nominees to the NLRB. Sharon Block and Richard Griffin are fully qualified and deserve an up or down vote. Leaving the Board short of a quorum in 2012 is unacceptable.”

Tell Your Member of Congress to Extend Unemployment Insurance and the Payroll Taxcut!

It's the season of giving, but without action to extend the payroll tax cut and unemployment insurance, Congress is set to taketh away from America's working families and those still looking for work. We urge can't let that happen.Click here to take action now - tell your member of Congress to extend unemployment insurance and the payroll taxcut!

Jobs Report Signals Good News for Retail Workers and U.S. Economy

The jobs report today is a bit of surprising good news for Americans heading into the holiday season: the American unemployment rate dropped to its lowest level since 2008 in November.

The jobless rate fell to 8.6 percent, after having been stuck around 9 percent for most of 2011, the Labor Department said Friday. A separate survey of employers, which economists pay more attention to than the rate, also brought modestly good news: Companies added 120,000 jobs last month, after adding 100,000 jobs in October.

This may be partially based on hiring for the holiday season...and that brings us to the other piece of good news for retail workers today. As the Chicago Sun-Times reports:

Retailers reported strong sales gains in November, boosted by a discount-fueled buying binge for the start of the holiday shopping season last weekend. Now, the challenge is to keep shoppers spending throughout the most important selling period of the year. 

Some retailers, including Macy's, which employees thousands of UFCW workers across the country, reported sales gains that beat Wall Street estimates. That's good news for workers, and good news for the country's economy.

NLRB Takes Step Toward Modernizing Union Election Process... Republicans in Congress Panic

You may have heard that yesterday the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) took a step toward approving a final rule to modernize the union election process. Immediately after this modest action was take, House Republicans passed legislation to block that rule.

Here's what UFCW President Joe Hansen had to say on the day's events:

"The NLRBs proposed rule to streamline the vote for union representation would be a modest but important first step toward fixing a broken process that favors CEOs over workers. Justice delayed is justice denied, and that is too often the case for workers that file a union election petition. Many employers delay, delay, and delay some more through frivolous litigation and other procedural tactics. They use this time to intimidate, harass, and in some cases fire pro-union employees. The result is an unfair election or no election at all. This proposed rule would ensure that when a majority of workers want to have a voice on the job, they will be able to do so, free of interference.

"With the rule not even finalized, House Republicans have continued their assault on workers by passing legislation to block it. It is the latest act by a party more committed to denying the rights of workers to stick together than fixing the economy and creating jobs. Like the rest of the extreme anti-worker measures passed by the House, we expect this one will be given a quick death in the Senate.

“Union contracts offer the best opportunity for stable, middle-class jobs. The NLRB is charged with protecting the right of every American to bargain for a better life. This proposed rule would do just that. It should be adopted."

No matter how far Republicans in Congress take their assault on workers, the UFCW is committed to continuing our fight to protect the rights of workers and strengthen America’s middle class. We do so by fighting for health care reform, living wages, retirement security, safe working conditions and the right to unionize so that working men and women and their families can realize the American Dream.You can connect with us online by joining our community on Facebook or following us on Twitter.