Protect Workers’ Rights Vote NO on H.R. 1120, Preventing Greater Uncertainty in Labor Management Relations Act

Recipient: U.S. House of Representatives

Dear Representative:

On behalf of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, a coalition charged by its diverse membership of over 210 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States, we urge you to oppose the “Preventing Greater Uncertainty in Labor-Management Relations Act” (H.R. 1120). H.R. 1120 would halt the critical work of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), strip workers of their essential rights, and open the door to workplace discrimination for all workers, especially vulnerable populations.

H.R. 1120 would create uncertainty in our labor-management system by effectively ending important functions of the NLRB. The NLRB is an independent federal agency vested with the power to safeguard employees’ rights to organize. It also acts to prevent and remedy unfair labor practices by private sector employers and unions. This bill would direct the NLRB to “cease all activity that requires a quorum,” thereby denying parties the opportunity to receive a legally binding decision in cases where they believe their legal rights have been violated. Thus, employers could ignore the law with impunity, knowing that the NLRB would lack the ability to issue a timely decision against them.

The Leadership Conference believes that workers’ rights—including the right to organize unions and engage in collective bargaining—are fundamental civil and human rights. This bill would force the NLRB into a state of perpetual instability, leaving employers free to reject orders and engage in unfair activity, including: warrantless firings, retaliation for complaints, and infringement of workers’ rights to organize, petition their employers, and hold elections. Rather than preventing uncertainty, which the legislation purports to address, H.R. 1120 would instead create an environment in which workers could be denied even basic job security and assurance that they can communicate with their employer on an even footing without fear of retaliation. 

We urge you to stand with workers and their families by opposing H.R. 1120 when it comes to the floor. Please contact Lexer Quamie, Senior Counsel at (202) 466-3648, if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Wade Henderson
President & CEO

Nancy Zirkin
Eecutive Vice President