38 Democratic Senators Voice Support for Amending Railway Labor Act

A group of Democratic Senators expressed their support for a change to the Railway Labor Act which would make it easier for airline and railway workers to unionize. Under the proposed changes, a union would be certified if a majority of those voting support the union. Currently, the union must get a majority of the bargaining unit to win the election. In effect, those who don’t vote are equal to ‘no’ votes.

The National Mediation Board will be having a hearing today on the proposed rule change today, but it is widely believed they will approve the changes as the Democrats now have a majority on the board.

Former Teamsters president Jimmy Hoffa said this about his support for the change: “This reform lets workers choose a union the same way they choose the president of the United States.” I thought that was rather ironic considering the support from Hoffa and labor for card check- which would reverse a policy in place that lets workers vote in a union election the same way they do for president.

Also of interest was the list of Senators who added their show of support. There were no Senators who are considered vulnerable in the 2010 election nor were there any Senators who are on the fence regarding EFCA. Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) joined the list, but he is positing himself to win favor with the liberal base as he faces a difficult race in the Democratic primary.