The National Labor Relations Board (“Board”) announced that it will suspend all representation elections, including mail ballot elections, effective immediately through April 3, 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Board stated that the election suspension is necessary to ensure the health and safety of its employees, as well as members of the public who would be involved in the election process. Another factor in the Board’s decision was its potential inability to effectively conduct elections due to the closure of several Regional Offices caused by staff exposure to the virus, and the significant number of Board employees who were required to work remotely because of COVID-19.

The Board did not disclose how many representations will be affected, how the elections will be rescheduled, or the impact on recently filed election petitions.