SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 4
(By Senator Bailey)
Urging Congress pass the Employee Free Choice Act.
Whereas, The freedom to form or join a union is
internationally recognized as a fundamental human right; and
Whereas, In 1935 the United States established, by law, that
workers must be free to form unions; and
Whereas, Union membership provides workers with better wages
and benefits and protection from discrimination and unsafe
workplaces; and
Whereas, Unions benefit communities by strengthening tax
bases, promoting equal treatment and enhancing civil participation;
and
Whereas, When the right of workers to form a union is
violated, wages fall, race and gender pay gaps widen, workplace
discrimination increases and job safety standards disappear; and
Whereas, The Employee Free Choice Act has been introduced in
Congress in order to restore a worker's freedom to join a union;
therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby urges Congress to pass the
Employee Free Choice Act; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Legislature hereby supports the Employee Free Choice Act which would authorize the National Labor
Relations Board to certify a union as the bargaining representative
when a majority of employees voluntarily sign authorizations
designating that union to represent them, provide for first contact
mediation and arbitration and establish meaningful penalties for
violations of a worker's freedom to choose a union; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby
directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the members of
West Virginia's congressional delegation.