For 2020 Elections: Deregulate Federal Labor Laws

Republicans make a good point in opposition to Democrats: They use government regulation too much in the economy.

Here are some suggestions for Democrats to deregulate federal labor laws. These are not offered tongue-in-cheek. These suggestions are serious.

1.     It’s illegal for federal workers to strike. Deregulate the Federal Labor Relations Act by making it legal for government workers to strike. Want to minimize the burden on the public? Allow federal workers to strike only after there is a government shutdown. This would increase pressure on lawmakers to avoid this destructive practice.

2.     Here’s an idea that favors employers: Repeal the law that prohibits company unions. Canada allows companies to form unions—and control them—as long as companies do not interfere with employee efforts to form a rival union. Studies from Canada show that this “competition” model for employee voice helps workers compared to the U.S. If companies do this right, employees win; if they botch the effort, employees win again by forming their own union.

3.     Under private sector labor law, workers who are classified as independent contractors cannot form or join a union. That’s far too much regulation of the workplace, where gig jobs (e.g., Uber) are common. Repeal it. If independent contractor workers want to band together and represent their interests, don’t let government red tape stand in the way.

4.     Private-sector workers cannot put up a picket line at a “secondary employer.” Example: Workers want to put economic pressure on manufacturers such as BMW, VW, Honda, Toyota, Subaru, etc. They cannot picket the supplier companies, nor the railroads or trucking firms that that ship materials, nor the power plant that provides electricity. Deregulate: Repeal this law, and give workers more bargaining power. It might be better than trade wars for helping to raise wages.