The Truth in Employment Act (H.R. 1793), legislation that would end the labor practice known as “salting,” was introduced April 11 in the U.S. House of Representatives by Reps. Jim DeMint, R-S.C.; Cass Ballenger, R-N.C.; and John Carter, R-Texas.
The bill's supporters contend salting is a union tactic designed to put unfair economic pressure on nonunion employers. In a typical salting situation, paid and unpaid union employees and agents seek access to an employer's workplace under the guise of seeking employment with the company. Whether overt or covert salts, their objectives are often to cause disruption and increased business costs for the hiring employer through frivolous National Labor Relations Board lawsuits.
“In America, freedom and common sense dictates that business owners should have the right to not hire applicants who are intent on sabotaging their businesses,” DeMint said. “Yet … many business owners would rather hire ‘salts’ than face costly litigation that can result from denying those non-bona fide applicants a job. My bill would protect such employers from frivolous and coercive lawsuits intended to damage their businesses.”
Independent Electrical Contractors, Alexandria, Va., supports the legislation.