Title 22Foreign Relations and IntercourseRelease 119-73

§4111 Exclusive recognition

Title 22 › Chapter CHAPTER 52— - FOREIGN SERVICE › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER X— - LABOR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS › § 4111

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Department must give a labor union exclusive recognition when a secret‑ballot vote shows a majority of the employees who cast valid ballots choose that union. Anyone can ask the Board for an election if 30 percent of employees in a unit want representation or say the current union no longer has majority support. A union can file if at least 10 percent of employees back it or if it already represents the workers. The Board decides who may vote and makes the election rules. Voters can pick a union on the ballot or choose no union. If more than two choices run, the Board uses ranked (preferential) voting and redistributes preferences so one choice gets a majority and is certified. A union seeking recognition must give officer names, its rules, and its goals to the Board and Department. Recognition is denied if the Board finds corrupt or anti‑democratic control or, in a 30% petition case, no credible evidence that 30 percent support the union. Parties may waive hearings and agree to a consent election under Board rules.

Full Legal Text

Title 22, §4111

Foreign Relations and Intercourse — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)The Department shall accord exclusive recognition to a labor organization if the organization has been selected as the representative, in a secret ballot election, by a majority of the employees in a unit who cast valid ballots in the election.
(b)If a petition is filed with the Board—
(1)by any person alleging—
(A)in the case of a unit for which there is no exclusive representative, that 30 percent of the employees in the unit wish to be represented for the purpose of collective bargaining by an exclusive representative, or
(B)in the case of a unit for which there is an exclusive representative, that 30 percent of the employees in the unit alleged that the exclusive representative is no longer the representative of the majority of the employees in the unit; or
(2)by any person seeking clarification of, or an amendment to, a certification then in effect or a matter relating to representation;
(c)A labor organization which—
(1)has been designated by at least 10 percent of the employees in the unit; or
(2)is the exclusive representative of the employees involved;
(d)(1)The Board shall determine who is eligible to vote in any election under this section and shall establish regulations governing any such election, which shall include regulations allowing employees eligible to vote the opportunity to choose—
(A)from labor organizations on the ballot, that labor organization which the employees wish to have represent them; or
(B)not to be represented by a labor organization.
(2)In any election in which more than two choices are on the ballot, the regulations of the Board shall provide for preferential voting. If no choice receives a majority of first preferences, the Board shall distribute to the two choices having the most first preferences the preferences as between those two of the other valid ballots cast. The choice receiving a majority of preferences shall be declared the winner. A labor organization which is declared the winner of the election shall be certified by the Board as the exclusive representative.
(e)A labor organization seeking exclusive recognition shall submit to the Board and to the Department a roster of its officers and representatives, a copy of its constitution and bylaws, and a statement of its objectives.
(f)Exclusive recognition shall not be accorded to a labor organization—
(1)if the Board determines that the labor organization is subject to corrupt influence or influences opposed to democratic principles; or
(2)in the case of a petition filed under subsection (b)(1)(A), if there is not credible evidence that at least 30 percent of the employees wish to be represented for the purpose of collective bargaining by the labor organization seeking exclusive recognition.
(g)Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the waiving of hearings by stipulation for the purpose of a consent election in conformity with regulations and rules or decisions of the Board.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

22 U.S.C. § 4111

Title 22Foreign Relations and Intercourse

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73