RILA Statement on Senate Vote on Ambush Elections 

The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) issued the following statement from Executive Vice President Katherine Lugar in response the U.S. Senate’s failure to pass a joint resolution disapproving of the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) ambush elections rule.

“While we are disappointed with the outcome of today’s vote, we will continue to fight to overturn the NLRB’s ill-conceived decision.

“The ambush elections rule undermines due process and employee and employer rights, unfairly tilting election outcomes in favor of Big Labor. 

“Union organizers spend months quietly campaigning, making their case for unionization to workers often without the knowledge of employers, denying employers the opportunity to present their side of the story. Employers caught off guard by a sudden show of interest and notice that a union election is just days away, will be ill-equipped to present their case to workers, who would then be forced to vote with only half of the facts.

“The ambush elections rule, along with another NLRB decision that creates micro-bargaining units, undermines employee and employer rights, and stifles job creation at a time when we can least afford it.”

According to NLRB’s own data, the average unionization election occurs 31 days after valid petitions are presented. The ambush election rule could shorten that period to as little as 10 days. Absent Congressional actions, the ambush elections rule will take effect April 30.

These issues are particularly important in retail, where many among the executive ranks started their careers working on the floor of a store. Retailers encourage employees to learn about their business by working in multiple departments. They recognize the value of a workforce that is cross-trained and employees appreciate the variety in their day-to-day work activities. It is especially important in the current economy, when many are looking for additional shifts, which are more available when free movement between departments can take place.

RILA is the trade association of the world’s largest and most innovative retail companies. RILA members include more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers, and service suppliers, which together account for more than $1.5 trillion in annual sales, millions of American jobs and more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities and distribution centers domestically and abroad.

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