Labor Relations / Unions

More union members in 2011, thanks to private-sector gains

02/22/2012

Changing economic conditions and favorable rule-making in Washington helped U.S. union membership increase to 14.8 million workers last year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Organized labor gained 49,000 new members in 2011.

NLRB’s latest crack at social media policy? What a mess!

02/03/2012

In late January, the National Labor Relations Board released an “Operations Management Memo” that purports to offer additional guidance to employers and HR professionals concerned about employees’ use of social media. I can sum up the NLRB’s report in three words: What a mess.

Heads up! Employment law in the news means employee chatter

01/31/2012

There’s plenty of employment law news making its way into the mainstream media. That means the workplace will be buzzing with employee chatter about working conditions, pay and unions. Prepare now for how to react.

NLRB continues with controversial moves and appointments

01/31/2012

Last year ended and 2012 began with a flurry of activity from the National Labor Relations Board NLRB. Between controversial appointments to the board and action on two new rules concerning organized labor, the NLRB has given employers much to watch.

What should we do? The law and our union rules are on a collision course over harassment

01/25/2012

Q. Our union agreement says we must give 48 hours’ notice before dismissing a regular employee. But we have proof that two employees have been harassing—and continue to harass—black and gay employees. In fact, their harassment just caused us to lose a good employee who couldn’t take it any longer. What trumps what?

Labor pains: NLRB keeps turning out anti-business hits

01/20/2012

The National Labor Relations Board is continuing its string of pro-union actions: 1. Arbitration agreements can’t ban class-action lawsuits. 2. New rules will speed up union elections. 3. Poster requirement delayed to April 30. 4. NLRB makes controversial recess appointments.

NLRB: Arbitration agreements can’t ban class-action lawsuits

01/10/2012

The National Labor Relations Board has ruled that employers can’t require employees to sign arbitration agreements that ban class-action lawsuits. The decision—almost certain to be challenged in court—caps months of controversy at the NLRB, the government body that enforces the National Labor Relations Act.

NLRB pushes back pro-union poster requirement to April 30

01/05/2012

The National Labor Relations Board has postponed until April 30 the date when employers must display a new pro-union poster. The change came at the request of a Washington, D.C., federal court hearing business groups’ legal challenge regarding the rule.

Politics around the watercooler: Can you discipline ‘overly political’ workers?

12/26/2011

While today’s Iowa caucuses feel like the end of a long campaign season, it’s really just the beginning of a heated political year … one that could spill over into your workplace. Follow these tips for handling political activity in your workplace and employees’ political advocacy outside of work.

Faster union elections on the way following NLRB action

12/21/2011

On Nov. 30, 2011, the National Labor Relations Board voted 2-1 in favor of changing the union election rules to speed up the process of securing union representation in workplaces nationwide. The new rule shortens the time between the filing of an election petition and actual voting, making it easier for unions to win elections and more difficult for employers to communicate with employees before the vote.