Source: Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE, 12/5/11

The U.S. House of Representatives passed on Friday a bill to change federal labor relations law to prevent expedited union votes and organization by small groups of workers.

The Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act passed by a vote of 235 to 188, according to a federal website. It now moves to the Senate.

The bill would amend the National Labor Relation Act to redefine the meaning of a collective bargaining unit to “employees that share a sufficient community of interest” as opposed to an “employer unit, craft unit, plant unit, or subdivision.” The law also would require that elections be held no sooner than 35 days following the filing of an election petition, among other provisions.

The American Meat Institute signed a letter, along with 243 other private and state organizations, to show support for the bill.
 

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