Lawmakers reached a compromise Friday that will change the process for NMB union elections in the transportation industry. The compromise paves the way for passage of long-term funding for the FAA. Republicans have blocked a long-term funding bill until union friendly changes to the NMB process made in 2010 were rolled back. Unions elections will still be decided by a simple majority, but unions will now have to sign up 50% of effected workers on cards. (They currently need 35%) Most unions do not file unless they have 50% on cards now. Another change would allow for a run-off election between the top two vote-getters, even if one of those two is the option of “no union.” Currently if two unions are on the ballot and the company does not win with a simple majority the two unions run off under the assumption that a majority of voters wanted a union.
