[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 183 (Thursday, December 1, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2157]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  WORKFORCE DEMOCRACY AND FAIRNESS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 30, 2011

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 3094) to 
     amend the National Labor Relations Act with respect to 
     representation hearings and the timing of elections of labor 
     organizations under that Act.

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 3094, 
the so-called Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act of 2011.
  Since coming to Congress, I have been a strong advocate for the right 
of every employee to form a union and collectively bargain for their 
rights. This bill represents the most recent attempt to put the 
interests of businesses over the rights of workers, another in a long 
line of Republican attempts to strip these fundamental rights from 
working Americans.
  H.R. 3094 is designed to derail fair, legal union elections by 
mandating delays and encouraging frivolous, distracting lawsuits. At a 
time when we should be pursuing policies that will strengthen our 
workforce and support the middle class, this bill will only make it 
harder for working families to maintain their pay checks, secure health 
insurance, plan for retirement, and achieve the American Dream.
  As our economy continues to recover, it is my hope that Congress can 
come together to pass legislation that puts Americans back to work and 
maintains the strongest and most competitive workforce in the world. 
H.R. 3094 will not achieve either of these goals, and I urge my 
colleagues to oppose it.

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