Pilot program for increased accessibility to inspection and technical assistance for eligible processing facilities

(a) In general The Secretary shall carry out a 5-year pilot program within the Food Safety and Inspection Service— (1) to expand the availability of processing inspectors, technical assistance, and onsite inspection for eligible processing facilities, including no-cost overtime inspections; and (2) to identify and train part-time inspectors and technical assistance providers. (b) Professional experience The Secretary shall determine the appropriate professional experience of inspectors and providers described in subsection (a)(2), which shall include individuals with expertise in veterinary medicine, public health, food service management, and animal science, as applicable. (c) Definitions In this section: (1) Eligible processing facility The term eligible processing facility means— (A) an eligible facility described in section 764 of division N of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (21 U.S.C. 473), that has a labor peace agreement in place; and (B) a dairy processing facility that has a labor peace agreement in place. (2) Labor peace agreement The term labor peace agreement means an agreement— (A) between an employer and a labor organization that represents, or is actively seeking to represent, the employees of the employer; and (B) under which such employer and labor organization agree that— (i) the employer— (I) will not hinder any effort of an employee to join a labor organization; and (II) will not take any action that directly or indirectly indicates or implies any opposition to an employee joining a labor organization; (ii) the labor organization agrees to refrain from picketing, work stoppages, or boycotts against the employer; (iii) the employer provides the labor organization with employee contact information, and facilitates or permits labor organization access to employees at the workplace, including facilitating or permitting the labor organization to meet with employees to discuss joining the labor organization; and (iv) the employer shall, upon the request of the labor organization, recognize the labor organization as the bargaining representative of the employees if a majority of the employees choose the labor organization as their bargaining representative.