u.s. appeal court friday dismiss bid construction trade group block controversial obama administration rule design speed union elections say national labor relations board broad authority implement texas-based 5th u.s. circuit court appeal reject claim associate builders contractors inc texas chapter so-called quickie election rule violate employers free speech right would lead union harassment workers board ... conduct exhaustive lengthy review issue evidence testimony respond contrary arguments offer factual legal support final conclusions circuit judge edith brown clement write 5th circuit consider one conservative appeal court country popular venue legal challenge obama administration initiatives decision affirm 2015 rule federal judge austin texas state chapter national federation independent business also plaintiff involve appeal rule take effect april 2015 shorten period union file petition represent workers election previous median 38 days little two weeks rule employers bring legal challenge way union campaign conduct election require share workers name contact detail unions file election petition nlrb say change necessary small number company intentionally drag election process sometimes months coerce workers vote unions associate builders contractors lawsuit say evidence common 5th circuit friday say court role weigh evidence pro con nlrb spokeswoman jessica kahanek decline comment abc immediately return request comment u.s. chamber commerce business-backed group last year make similar claim separate lawsuit challenge new rule federal court washington d.c. judge dismiss case group appeal president barack obama march 2015 veto measure republicans congress would stop rule take effect case associate builders contractors inc v. national labor relations board 5th u.s. circuit court appeal 15-50497. u.s. appeal court uphold 'quickie union election rule