For Immediate Release: March 10, 2009
Contact:  Michael O’Brien, (202) 367-1280

 

 

[Washington, DC] – The National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA) is calling on members of Congress to oppose the so-called “Employee Free Choice Act” which was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate today. The association has designated the issue as one of the priority issues NLBMDA members will discuss with their members of Congress next week during the association’s annual Legislative Conference.

 

“At a time when our economy is struggling and the housing market continues to have many challenges, the Employee Free Choice Act will destroy jobs and hobble businesses that are already struggling in this recession,” said NLBMDA President and CEO Michael O’Brien.

 

The legislation, also known as “card check” legislation, bypasses the official secret ballot election and instead allows for recognition of the union as the bargaining representative once it presents authorization cards signed by a majority of workers that the union is seeking to organize. If a majority of employees sign the cards and the employer and the union do not reach agreement after 120 days of collective bargaining and mediation, a federally-appointed arbitrator will be selected to write the terms and conditions, which would be binding for two years.

“The secret ballot election is a pillar of established labor-management law. This legislation is an undemocratic attempt to overturn decades of established law,” said O’Brien

 

A recent economic analysis conducted by Dr. Anne Layne-Farrar, an economist with the nonpartisan research firm LECG Consulting, concluded that for every 3 percentage points gained in union membership through card checks and mandatory arbitration will result in a 1 percentage point rise in the unemployment rate the following year.

 

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The National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA) represents its members in the national public policy arena, with emphasis on efforts to 1) promote the industry and educate legislators and public policy personnel; and 2) assist legislative, regulatory, standard-setting and other government or private bodies in the development of laws, regulations and policies affecting lumber and building material dealers, its customers and suppliers. Founded in 1917, the association has over 6,000 members operating single or multiple lumber yards and component plants serving homebuilders, subcontractors, general contractors, and consumers in the new construction, repair and remodeling of residential and light commercial structures.