Knoxville News Sentinel - U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais Bill Would Repeal NLRB Rule

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By Michael Collins

U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais is trying to head off a new workplace rule that will require employers to prominently display posters containing information about a worker's right to unionize and bargain collectively.

DesJarlais, R-Jasper, Tenn., filed legislation Monday that would repeal the new rule, which was finalized last month by the National Labor Relations Board. Under the rule, most employers will have to start posting the information on Nov. 14.

"It is unacceptable for the NLRB to force businesses to display posters that serve as nothing more than a de factor endorsement of unionization by the federal government," DesJarlais said.

DesJarlais called the rule an "arbitrary mandate" and derided it as "another favor for big labor made possible by their friends in the Obama administration."

"If employers want to distribute information on the ways employees can unionize, then that should be their choice -- not Washington bureaucrats," he said.

The new rule applies to all private employers whose workplaces fall under the National Labor Relations Act, which covers most sectors, except for agriculture, railroad and airline employers. A similar rule already is in place for federal contractors.

DesJarlais said he decided to file his legislation after meeting with Tennessee employers who objected to the federal government dictating how they communicate with their workers about unionization issues.

While DesJarlais' bill would bar the federal government from forcing employers to post such information, nothing would prohibit them from doing so voluntarily.

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