§7111 Exclusive Recognition of Labor Organizations

Summary

An agency must give one labor organization exclusive recognition when a secret-ballot election shows that a majority of the employees in the proper work unit who cast valid ballots chose that organization. If someone files a petition, the Authority (the agency that runs federal labor elections) will act when either 30% of the employees in the unit say they want to be represented, 30% say the current rep no longer represents a majority, or someone asks for clarification or a change to a current certification. A union can show it wants to represent workers by having at least 10% of employees name it, by giving a current or recently expired bargaining agreement, or by other evidence that it speaks for the workers. The Authority decides who can vote and sets election rules. Ballots must let workers pick a union on the ballot or choose no union. A union seeking recognition must give a list of its officers and reps, its rules, and its goals. Recognition must be denied if the Authority finds the union corrupt or anti‑democratic, if there is not credible evidence of 30% support when required, if a valid written bargaining agreement already covers the workers (unless that agreement has lasted more than 3 years or the petition is filed between 105 and 60 days before it ends), or if a secret‑ballot election for that unit was held in the past 12 months and a majority already chose a union. Hearings may be waived if both sides agree to a consent election under the Authority’s rules.