The National Labor Relations Board issued new quick election
rules that went into effect April 30. On April 26, 2012, the
Board's acting general counsel issued a guidance memorandum
with significant direction on the implementation of these new
rules.
Background
The Board issued notice of the new quick election rules in June
of 2011. Following a comment period and hearings, and facing the
potential loss of a quorum upon the expiration of member
Becker's term at the end of 2011, the Board approved
scaled-back rule changes on November 30, and published the rule on
Dec. 11, 2011. The rules became effective on April 30 and apply
only to petitions filed on or after that date. The new quick
election rules are being challenged in federal court in Washington,
D.C. The judge in that case has announced that a decision will be
issued by May 15.
