Retailers upset with “harmful” NLRB ruling

Arlington, VA - Retailers on Friday criticized the National Labor Relations Board decision that gave the go-ahead to new laws to expedite the union election process. The amendments, to go into effect April 14, provide for electronic filing and transmission of election petitions and other documents; eliminates or reduces unnecessary litigation; and allows parties to consolidate election-related appeals to the board into a single appeals process, the NLRB said in a statement.



“This flawed rule is harmful to both workers and employers,” said Kelly Kolb, VP for government affairs, Retail Industry Leaders Association, in a statement. “By dramatically changing the procedures that govern union elections, the rule limits the information available to employees prior to entering the voting booth, potentially subjects employees to harassment at home and undermines the due process rights of employers.”

The National Retail Federation also came out against the ruling.



“This is a devastating rule for employees throughout the retail industry,” stated David French, NRF’s senior VP of government relations. “These men and women will be forced to make a decision that could drastically change their workplace environment without adequate information and time to consider the issues before them. The NLRB already conducts a vast majority of representation elections within a reasonable time frame and this rule is simply unnecessary and unfair.”