[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 63 (Wednesday, May 14, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E923]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      JUSTICE ON TIME ACT OF 1997

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM F. GOODLING

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 14, 1997

  Mr. GOODLING. Mr. Speaker, today, I am pleased to introduce the 
Justice on Time Act of 1997, legislation which would address the 
profound concern expressed by several of my constituents who have 
experienced long delays in the processing of their cases by the 
National Labor Relations Board [NLRB]. The Justice on Time Act of 1997 
would require the NLRB to issue a final decision within 1 year on all 
unfair labor practice complaints where it is alleged that an employer 
has discharged an employee in an attempt to encourage or discourage 
union membership.
  The Justice on Time Act recognizes that the lives of employees and 
their families, wondering whether and when they will get their jobs 
back, are hanging in the balance during the long delays associated with 
the National Labor Relations Board's processing of unfair labor 
practice charges. The act also recognizes that the discharge of an 
employee who engages in union activity has a particularly chilling 
effect on the willingness of fellow employees to support a labor 
organization or to participate in the types of concerted action 
protected by the National Labor Relations Act [NLRA].
  Thus, the legislation requires the Board to resolve discharge cases 
in a timely manner to send a strong message to both employers and 
employees that the NLRA can provide effective and swift justice. The 
Justice on Time Act ensures that employees who are entitled to 
reinstatement will quickly get their jobs back and employers will not 
be saddled with liability for large backpay awards.
  The median time for National Labor Relations Board processing of all 
unfair labor practice cases in fiscal year 1995 was 546 days and has 
generally been well over 500 days since 1982. This length of time is a 
disservice to the hard-working men and women who seek relief from the 
Board for unfair treatment in their workplaces. The Justice on Time Act 
tells the National Labor Relations Board that, at least when it comes 
to employees who may have wrongly lost their jobs, it must do better 
and must give employees a final answer on whether they are entitled to 
their jobs back within 1 year.

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