Proposed Worker’s Choice Act would expand worker freedom

A Worker’s Choice Act recently introduced in the House would give private sector employees in a unionized workplace freedom to independently negotiate their employment terms with their employer if they so desired.

The bill would amend the National Labor Relations Act that currently provides unions with exclusive bargaining power. While employees can opt-out of union membership and choose to not financially support a union, they are still forced to “have unions represent their interests and dictate employment terms.” U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Greg Murphy (R-NC), and Dr. Phil Roe (R-TN) are behind the bill.

“Employees deserve their own negotiating power,” said Johnson. “The Worker’s Choice Act allows American workers in union shops to set their own terms with their boss, the employer.”

“Ending exclusive representation would be a huge victory for workers’ freedom. Jobs today are more unique, and many workers want more flexibility and opportunity than rigid union-negotiated contracts provide,” said Murphy. “Ending this relic of the past would free unions from having to represent non-dues paying members and it would free workers to choose their own method of negotiations—including one that does not force them into employment contracts that don’t represent what they want and need.”

Unions complain that employees’ freedom of choice to not financially support a union creates a “free rider” problem—nonmembers receiving the benefits negotiated by the union without having to pay any dues or fees. But unions fought for—and won—the right to exclusively represent both members and nonmembers, and because of this must do so in good faith. They created the “problem” they like to complain about, but the Worker’s Choice Act would free unions from negotiating terms for employees who don’t pay dues.

It’s time to end the monopoly union bosses have had over the negotiations process. Employees deserve more freedom and choice in their workplace, and the Worker’s Choice Act would give private sector workers true freedom of association.