To: The California State House, The California State Senate, and Governor Gavin Newsom

California Employee Free Choice Act

Amend the National Labor Relations Act to establish an efficient system in California to enable employees to form, join, or assist labor organizations [unions], to provide for mandatory injunctions for unfair labor practices during organizing efforts, and for other purposes.

Why is this important?

The bill would, first, allow a union to be certified as the official union to bargain with an employer if union officials collect signatures of a majority of workers. The bill would remove the present right of the employer to demand an additional, separate ballot when more than half of employees have already given their signature supporting the union. Second, the bill would require employers and unions to enter binding arbitration to produce a collective agreement at latest 120 days after a union is recognized. Third, the bill would increase penalties on employers who discriminate against workers for union involvement.