The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved legislation that would repeal a recently updated National Mediation Board (NMB) voting rule for air and rail workers. The language included in the FAA Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2011 would restore the unfair advantage carriers have enjoyed in union representation elections for more than 75 years.
In 2010 The NMB changed the archaic rule which imposed an automatic “no” vote if a worker did not participate in a union election. The new rule allowed for union representation elections to be decided by a majority of workers who cast ballots.
The FAA bill also omits OSHA protection for Flight Attendants and eliminates mandatory inspections and drug and alcohol testing at foreign repair stations.
The GOP majority on the committee approved the bill by a 34-25 vote.
