Federal Employee Labor Management Act
Latest action. Referred to Senate Committee on Post Office and civil serviceThe career federal workforce, hired by merit and protected from being fired for political reasons. About 2 million people, the vast majority of the executive branch.Read the full definition (opens a new tab).
Federal Employee Labor-Management Act - Declares it to be the policy of this Act that employees of the Federal Government shall have, and shall be protected in the exercise of the right, freely and without fear of penalty or reprisal, to form, join, and assist any labor organization, including presentation of its views to officials of the executive branch of the Government, the Congress, or other appropriate authority and to bargain collectively. Requires that the head of each Government department or agency take such action as required to carry out the purpose of this Act and assure that no improper interference, restraint, coercion, or discrimination is practiced to discourage membership in any labor organization. Defines the terms used in this Act. Creates the Federal Employees Labor Relations Board, to be appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Empowers the Board to issue rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act, and to prevent any person from engaging in conduct in violation of this Act. Enumerates the rights of employees and employee organizations with respect to labor organizations. Provides that the labor organization designated by the majority of employees shall be the exclusive representative of all the employees. Provides for the recognition as exclusive representative of labor organizations upon application procedures set forth in this Act. Prescribes the procedures for petitions asking for investigation of the question of whether employees have selected an exclusive representative and for review and decision of such petitions by the Board. States that in each case where the appropriateness of the claimed unit is in issue, the Board shall decide whether the unit to be established will insure a clear and identifiable community of employees and will promote effective dealings and efficiency of agency operation. States that an exclusive representative decision by the Board shall not be subject to judicial review or other collateral attack. Prescribes procedures to be followed when: (1) an impasse occurs in collective bargaining over the terms and conditions of employment; (2) disputes over the interpretation or application of agreements occur; and (3) a strike occurs. Makes it unlawful for an employer to engage in specified actions, including to: (1) interfere with, restrain or coerce any employee for the exercise of rights guaranteed by this Act; (2) interfere with or assist in the formation or administration of any employee organization; (3) encourage or discourage employee organization membership; and (4) refuse to bargain in good faith. Provides that it shall be an unfair labor practice for a labor organization: (1) to restrain or coerce any employee in the exercise of the rights assured by this Act; (2) to restrain or coerce an employer in the selection of its representative for grievance and bargaining purposes; (3) to discriminate against any employee with regard to membership; and (4) in the case of an exclusive representative, to fail to bargain in good faith. Empowers the Board to prevent any person from engaging in any unfair act covered by this Act. Prescribes the procedures for the issuing of complaints, holding of hearings, filing of exceptions and petitioning of any court of appeals. States that for the purpose of all hearings and investigations, the Board shall have access to any evidence of any person being investigated or proceeded against that relates to any matter under investigation or in question. Imposes criminal penalties on any person who willfully resists, prevents, impedes, or interferes with any member of the Commission or an agent in the performance of duties pursuant to this Act.
Written by analysts at the Congressional Research Service and published on Congress.gov, not by Civibrief. Summarized at the "Introduced in Senate" stage on March 8, 1974. It describes the bill, it is not the legal text.
Where is it in the process, and what happens next?
4 steps remain before this bill could become law.
The record's latest action, on March 8, 1974: Referred to Senate Committee on Post Office and Civil Service.
- Clearing the committees it was referred to, and being scheduled for a floor vote
- Passage by the Senate
- Passage by the House
- The President's signature. If the President vetoes it, two-thirds of both chambers must vote to override.
How likely is it to become law?
Civibrief does not forecast outcomes and this page has no opinion about this one. What the record supports is a base rate, which is a fact about the whole pile, not a prediction about this measure.
In the 93rd Congress (1973-74), 651 of the 23,396 bills and joint resolutions introduced became law, about 2.8 percent. That count covers every measure at every stage, including the many that never left committee.
This one is not there yet: 4 steps are still outstanding, listed above.
Has anyone actually voted on it?
No. No roll call in this Congress cites this measure. That is the ordinary outcome: most measures never reach a recorded floor vote, and a committee ends most of them simply by not acting.
A vote is not the only thing that happens to a measure. Hearings, markups, and referrals are all recorded actions, and none of them is a vote of the full chamber.
Who is behind it?
LEE METCALF (D-MT) introduced it on March 8, 1974. No cosponsors are recorded.
Cosponsoring is a formal signature on the text. It is not a commitment to vote for the measure, it does not bind anyone's party, and a long list of cosponsors is a measure of attention rather than of prospects.
How long has it been in play?
It was introduced on March 8, 1974, 19179 days ago. The most recent recorded action was 19179 days ago, on March 8, 1974.
Measures do not carry over. Anything the 93rd Congress has not finished by January 3, 1975 dies when the term ends, and has to be introduced again from the start in the next Congress.
Every answer above is assembled from this measure's own record on Congress.gov and from published counts of what Congress has passed before. Civibrief does not predict outcomes and takes no position on any measure.
Vote history
- SenateIn committee, no floor vote yet
- HouseAwaits Senate passage
- PresidentAwaits both chambers