Ask the Union Members Act

Summary

Requires secret‑ballot member votes before a union can ratify a collective bargaining agreement or authorize a strike. The bill mandates a majority of members in good standing voting in a secret‑ballot referendum to approve both ratification and strike authorization, requires the proposed agreement be provided to members at least 72 hours before a ratification vote, and becomes effective 18 months after enactment. These changes add new procedural voting rules to existing federal labor law (amending 29 U.S.C. § 411(a) and § 158(b)), creating penalties for labor organizations that fail to follow the new secret‑ballot requirements.

• Requires secret‑ballot referendums for both ratifying collective bargaining agreements and authorizing strikes.
• A majority of members in good standing voting in the referendum must approve ratification or strike authorization.
• Unions must give each member at least 72 hours' access to a proposed collective bargaining agreement before the ratification vote.
• Changes amend 29 U.S.C. § 411(a) and § 158(b), making the new requirements part of federal labor law and unfair labor practice provisions.
• Takes effect 18 months after enactment, giving unions time to adapt procedures.
• Likely increases administrative burden and costs for unions to run secret‑ballot referendums.
• Could delay or reduce use of strikes and slow the ratification process for agreements.
• May generate litigation and enforcement actions over ballot procedures, member eligibility, and what constitutes compliance.
• Does not provide funding or alter federal spending; it imposes new procedural duties on labor organizations.