[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 182 (Wednesday, November 30, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H7940]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  WORKFORCE DEMOCRACY AND FAIRNESS ACT

  (Mr. HIGGINS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to legislation that 
will hinder the rights of American workers. There are several junctures 
in the union certification process in which an election can be delayed 
through unnecessary litigation. In June the National Labor Relations 
Board announced reforms to reduce litigation and streamline the process 
so that elections are held in a fair and timely manner.
  The legislation before us will block those reforms and introduce even 
more opportunity to delay elections indefinitely. I don't believe most 
employers try to delay elections. In fact, I often cite our history of 
cooperative labor relations as one of western New York's strengths. But 
the record shows that some will use every loophole to prevent workers 
from voting on whether to bargain collectively. The National Labor 
Relations Board rules will close those loopholes and prevent elections 
from proceeding. We should allow these reforms to stand and focus 
instead on legislation to create jobs and get our economy moving in the 
right direction.

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