Employee Free Choice Act

January 12, 2009 at 4:51AM

The new Congress will consider landmark legislation that would make it easier to organize unions by altering labor laws that have been in place for decades.

The bill would:

• Allow a union to be established if authorization cards are signed by a majority of workers. Under current law, an employer can require that a secret election be held before a union could be certified.

• Use binding arbitration to determine pay, benefits and work rules in a first labor contract if the union and management fail to reach agreement in 120 days.

• Increase financial penalties against employers that fire or discriminate against employees advocating for unions.

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