The Employee Free Choice Act would permit workers to form unions by signing cards providing for union representation, provide mediation and arbitration for contract disputes, and establish stronger penalties for violation of employee rights, both during union negotiations and contract disputes.
Under the proposed legislation, employees could form a union if the majority sign union authorization cards and the employer would be required to recognize the union. Both employees and employers could request mediation if they are unable to negotiate a first contract. In addition, the Employee Free Choice Act has stronger penalties than currently in place against employers who fire or retaliate against pro-union workers during a union organizing campaign.
