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On Feb. 14 a key committee in the U.S. House of Representatives delivered a valentine to the nation’s workers and their families: it approved the Employee Free Choice Act. Under EFCA, if a majority of employees want a union, they get a union. Currently the boss gets to decide. This legislation is central to empowering working people to achieve the American Dream − a paycheck that supports a family, quality affordable health care, and a secure retirement. The next step will be vote by the full House.

What is the Employee Free Choice Act?

The Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) respects that the right to join a union is a fundamental freedom, just like freedom of speech or religion, and that employees should be able to do so without interference from management.

  • Majority Rules: Under EFCA, if a majority of all employees sign cards indicating support for a union the employer is required to recognize the union so long as the workers' choice is certified by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The current process is not working because of a dramatic rise in coercive and hostile action by employers against employees trying to unionize.
  • Fair Resolution of Contract Disputes: When workers decide they want to be represented by a union, employers can drag out the contract negotiation process for years. EFCA creates a fair process for resolving contract disputes.
  • Strong Remedies to Protect Workers' Rights: Currently, employers face only minimal penalties if they violate employees' rights who are trying to form a union -- essentially a minor cost of doing business. EFCA would level the playing field by requiring the NLRB to take legal action to reinstate workers fired for union activity

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