Trump's Attack on Union Card Check Looks and Smells Like Project 2025
The Trump regime has taken aim at yet another pro-worker policy, suggesting once again that it is both familiar and on board with Project 2025. Earlier this month, the US Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) ceased facilitating “card check” for union certification – a move designed to hinder workers’ ability to form a union.
Also called majority sign-up, card check is a fair and effective way to determine that workers want union representation. Workers who support a union simply sign authorization cards indicating as much, and if a majority of those eligible sign cards, the union is recognized. From there, the union can commence contract negotiations with the employer. Compared to secret ballot elections, card check reduces opportunities for employer interference, allowing more workers who want unions to form them.
The Trump regime’s actions have so far stopped short of banning card check altogether, which is what Project 2025 proposes (Project 2025’s proposal also involves Congress, but the Trump regime appears to prefer usurping Congressional authority to working with lawmakers). Nevertheless, the move at FMCS took away an important avenue that made card check certification more seamless and accessible. US employers weren’t obligated to honor card check certification before this, but removing FMCS services may further dissuade employers who might have been persuaded otherwise.
https://cepr.net/publications/attack-on-card-check-looks-and-smells-like-project-2025/