Fair Labor Organizing Act
Latest action (30 Jul 1998): Introduced
What this bill does
The Fair Labor Organizing Act (S. 2389) would amend the National Labor Relations Act and the Labor Management Relations Act to expand protections for workers seeking to organize unions. It would require that if an employer addresses employees about union representation on company premises or during work hours, employees must be given an equal, paid opportunity to hear from the labor organization, and it would give unions rights of access to work areas, bulletin boards, mailboxes, and company facilities for organizing-related meetings. It would increase remedies for illegal firings tied to union activity, requiring triple back pay and allowing affected employees to sue in court for punitive or wrongful-discharge damages. It would also create a mediation-then-binding-arbitration process for first contracts if employers and newly certified unions cannot reach agreement within set time limits.
The bill would primarily affect private-sector employers and employees covered by federal labor law, as well as labor unions seeking to organize workplaces or negotiate initial contracts. Employers would face new obligations regarding communication access and stronger penalties for retaliatory firings; unions and employees would gain expanded organizing rights and legal remedies.
The bill was introduced by Senator Paul Wellstone on July 30, 1998, in the 105th Congress and referred to the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources. It did not receive a vote and did not advance further before the end of that Congress.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill was introduced on July 30, 1998, in a previous session of Congress, but it did not receive a vote.
Common questions
- What does S. 2389 do?
- The Fair Labor Organizing Act (S. 2389) would amend the National Labor Relations Act and the Labor Management Relations Act to expand protections for workers seeking to organize unions. It would require that if an employer addresses employees about union representation on company premises or during work hours, employees must be given an equal, paid opportunity to hear from the labor organization, and it would give unions rights of access to work areas, bulletin boards, mailboxes, and company facilities for organizing-related meetings. It would increase remedies for illegal firings tied to union activity, requiring triple back pay and allowing affected employees to sue in court for punitive or wrongful-discharge damages. It would also create a mediation-then-binding-arbitration process for first contracts if employers and newly certified unions cannot reach agreement within set time limits. The bill would primarily affect private-sector employers and employees covered by federal labor law, as well as labor unions seeking to organize workplaces or negotiate initial contracts. Employers would face new obligations regarding communication access and stronger penalties for retaliatory firings; unions and employees would gain expanded organizing rights and legal remedies. The bill was introduced by Senator Paul Wellstone on July 30, 1998, in the 105th Congress and referred to the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources. It did not receive a vote and did not advance further before the end of that Congress.
- Has S. 2389 become law?
- Not yet. As of 30 Jul 1998, S. 2389 is introduced.
- Who sponsored S. 2389?
- S. 2389 was sponsored by Sen. Paul Wellstone [D-MN, 1991-2002] (Democrat-MN), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 2389?
- Introduced (30 Jul 1998).
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