The NLRB’s controversial final rule overhauling its procedures for union elections, commonly known as the “ambush” election rule, will be going into effect April 14 unless a court blocks enforcement of the new rule.* 

Under the final rule, the amount of time between when a union files a representation petition and an election takes place will be dramatically reduced from the current average of 38 days. The shortened time period for union elections will place a premium on rapid response by employers to union organizing activity.

ABC has put together a Rapid Response Toolkit to Union Organizing which contains materials that are intended to help construction industry employers deal with the most common questions and issues relating to union organizing. The toolkit is for ABC members and can be found on ABC’s website (login required) at abc.org/uot. 

*On Jan. 13, 2015, ABC of Texas and the Central Texas Chapter of ABC filed a joint lawsuit with the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Texas challenging the final rule. The legal challenge was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. A motion for summary judgment was filed on Feb. 9, 2015. ABC National will continue to keep members updated about the status of the legal challenge through Newsline.