House Adds Unionizing Measure to FAA Reauthorization

The House approved a bill before leaving for its Memorial Day recess that would make it easier for employees to join unions, Bloomberg reported.

The provision, included in a bill to finance the Federal Aviation Administration through fiscal 2012, could make it easier for non-union truck drivers, package handlers and other employees of FedEx Corp. to join unions, Bloomberg reported.

Workers at FedEx’s Express unit could vote locally to join unions rather than having to hold a national election to approve union representation, Bloomberg said.

The measure — which was passed by a 277-136 vote — was included by Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.) in the broader $53.5 billion FAA reauthorization, Bloomberg reported.

The move could set up a conflict in the Senate between FedEx and rival UPS Inc., whose workers are unionized and who organize under the National Labor Relations Act, which allows for local organizing. FedEx operates under the national organizing standard used for airlines, Bloomberg said.

The Senate has not yet set a version of the bill. The House approved similar legislation in 2007 that was not taken up by the Senate, Bloomberg reported.

FedEx is ranked No. 2 on the Transport Topics 100 listing of U.S. and Canadian for-hire carriers, while UPS is No. 1.