Mazie Hirono: “I rise to oppose S.J. Res. 8, a misguided resolution that targets workers' right to organize and hurts working families…”

“I rise to oppose S.J. Res. 8, a misguided resolution that targets workers' right to organize and hurts working families in Hawaii and around the country. Union election rules haven't been updated since the 1970s. The National Labor Relations Board--or NLRB--is trying to bring union election rules into the 21st century, but today's Senate resolution will block the NLRB's commonsense updates. The right to organize is a crucial part of our democracy. Unions have helped build the middle class in Hawaii and nationwide. It is disappointing that instead of working to create jobs or help the middle class get ahead, today we are debating whether to make it harder to join a union. Workers wishing to join a union already face many barriers. For example, companies have significant opportunities to make their case to employees about why they should oppose a union. Meanwhile, unions are not allowed to visit the worksite to make their case for joining a union, and they do not have access to modern contact information such as emails and cell phone numbers--unbelievable as that may sound--to contact workers. In addition, companies can delay union elections with what amounts to frivolous litigation and appeal after appeal. Nationwide, in contested cases workers already have to wait an average of 4 months to vote whether to join a union.…”