Expanding Labor Representation in the Workforce System Act
This bill, the Expanding Labor Representation in the Workforce System Act, would boost labor representation on workforce development boards created under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Specifically, it increases the required share of board seats held by labor organizations from 20% to 30% on both state and local workforce development boards. In addition, the bill expands the statutory definition of “labor organization” to more broadly include certain federations and organizations that represent workers, including some groups that are normally not covered by the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). The overall effect is to give labor groups greater influence in shaping workforce development policy and funding decisions at the state and local levels.
Key Points
- 1Increases labor representation on state workforce development boards from 20% to 30%.
- 2Increases labor representation on local workforce development boards from 20% to 30%.
- 3Expands the definition of “labor organization” to include:
- 4- (A) organizations composed of labor organizations (e.g., federations or state/municipal labor bodies); and
- 5- (B) organizations that would be included under the NLRA’s definition if not for representing certain groups (government employees, railway workers, or agricultural workers).
- 6The expanded definition allows broader participation of labor-related entities in board membership decisions.
- 7Changes are made by amending specific sections of the WIOA (state and local board provisions) and by clarifying the definition of labor organization.