Rep. Tim Scott (R-SC) has introduced The Job Protection Act to underscore current protection of state laws in the National Labor Relations Act. Initiated with his South Carolina colleagues, Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) and Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC), this legislation will prevent the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) from moving forward with their case against Boeing or attempting similar action against other companies.
The Job Protection Act explicitly clarifies that the NLRB cannot order an employer to relocate jobs from one location to another, guarantees an employer the right to decide where to do business within the United States, and protects an employer’s free speech regarding the costs associated with having a unionized workforce without fear of such communication being used as evidence in an anti-union discrimination claim.
In explaining the need for this measure, Scott said, “The NLRB’s action represents an unprecedented attack on our free enterprise system and it ignores 45 years of NLRB and Supreme Court precedent, which holds that an employer has a legitimate and permissible interest in preventing future work stoppages.”
Rep. Wilson expressed his support for the bill saying “I am honored to join my colleagues in introducing the Job Protection Act. The bill clarifies existing federal law and will prevent the NLRB and like-minded organizations from operating in a similar manner. Manufacturing employers operate in South Carolina due to the welcoming climate provided by the right-to-work laws. Businesses have a right to contract where to work in the best interest of their shareholders and workers. The NLRB complaint is a threat to all right-to-work states, not just South Carolina. Bullying by special interests and unions will not be tolerated in South Carolina. This legislation makes sure of it.”
A similar bill known as the Job Protection Act (S. 694) was recently introduced in the Senate by Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Jim DeMint (R-SC).
