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This bill would increase the role of labor groups on state and local workforce development boards, which help guide job training and workforce programs. It raises the required share of labor representatives on these boards from 20 percent to 30 percent. The bill also adds a clearer definition of “labor organization” so more kinds of worker groups are counted, including union federations, state or local labor bodies, and organizations representing certain workers not covered under the usual labor law definition. In simple terms, the bill is meant to give workers and unions a stronger voice in how workforce programs are planned and run.
- State workforce development boards would have to include labor representatives making up 30 percent of the board, instead of 20 percent.
- Local workforce development boards would also have to raise labor representation from 20 percent to 30 percent.
- The bill expands the meaning of “labor organization” to include groups made up of labor organizations, such as union federations and state or city labor bodies.
- It also includes organizations representing federal workers, railroad workers, and agricultural workers, even if they are not covered by the usual labor law definition.
Official Summaries
Expanding Labor Representation in the Workforce System Act
This bill increases from 20% to 30% the workforce representation on state and local workforce development boards.
Workforce development boards perform a variety of functions to carry out the programs and services authorized under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, including by developing and implementing plans for workforce development and investment activities.
Current law specifies that boards must include representatives of labor organizations, among others with relevant expertise. The bill specifies that labor organizations include organizations that
- are considered labor organizations based on the definition included in the National Labor Relations Act (e.g., unions);
- are composed of labor organizations (e.g., a labor union federation or a state or municipal labor body); or
- would be considered labor organizations but for the fact that the organization represents agricultural laborers or individuals employed by a federal agency, a government corporation, a Federal Reserve Bank, a state or local government, or an employer that is subject to the Railway Labor Act.
Current Full Text
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 567 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 567
To expand labor representation on State and local workforce development
boards, to provide a definition of labor organization, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 20, 2025
Ms. Sherrill (for herself, Mr. Fitzpatrick, and Mrs. Hayes) introduced
the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education
and Workforce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To expand labor representation on State and local workforce development
boards, to provide a definition of labor organization, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Expanding Labor Representation in
the Workforce System Act''.
SEC. 2. STATE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARDS.
Section 101(b)(1)(C)(ii) of the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3111(b)(1)(C)(ii)) is amended by striking
``20 percent'' and inserting ``30 percent''.
SEC. 3. LOCAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARDS.
Section 107(b)(2)(B) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity
Act (29 U.S.C. 3122(b)(2)(B)) is amended by striking ``20'' and
inserting ``30''.
SEC. 4. DEFINITION OF LABOR ORGANIZATION.
Section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
U.S.C. 3102) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(72) Labor organization.--The term `labor organization'
has the meaning given the term in section 2(5) of the National
Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 152(5)), except that such term
shall also include--
``(A) any organization composed of labor
organizations, such as a labor union federation or a
State or municipal labor body; and
``(B) any organization which would be included in
the definition for such term under such section 2(5)
but for the fact that the organization represents--
``(i) individuals employed by the United
States, any wholly owned Government
corporation, any Federal Reserve Bank, or any
State or political subdivision thereof;
``(ii) individuals employed by persons
subject to the Railway Labor Act (45 U.S.C. 151
et seq.); or
``(iii) individuals employed as
agricultural laborers.''.
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