In a move that is being praised by the AFL-CIO and criticized by the United States Chamber of Commerce, the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”) recently released its proposed amendments to the rules governing the process that is used for unionization elections.

In a press release issued earlier this week, the NLRB stated that the “proposed amendments are intended to reduce unnecessary litigation, streamline pre-and post-election procedures, and facilitate the use of electronic communications and document filing.”  A review of the proposed amendments, however, indicate that these amendments will make it easier for organized labor to unionize workforces, because unions will get more information about employees sooner, elections will be conducted quicker than before, and employers will essentially be prevented from having sufficient time to express their views during a representation election campaign.  Therefore, it comes as no surprise that the AFL-CIO is excited about these changes, whereas the Chamber of Commerce is displeased.

The NLRB is accepting comments from the public until August 20, 2011.  Comments about the proposed amendments may be submitted online here.

You can read the NLRB’s Fact Sheet on the proposed amendments here, and a redlined version of the rules outlining the changes here.