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Labor Relations / Unions

Call your attorney ASAP when employee complaints involve union representation

12/14/2011
The rules regarding union representation and unfair labor practices are complex and confusing for employees and employers alike. That’s reason enough to get expert help with any union-related problems, including what to do when employees vote out a union.

Legality of new union poster faces hearing; ruling by Jan. 31

12/02/2011
A court hearing is scheduled for Dec. 19 on two business-backed lawsuits challenging the legality of the NLRB’s new requirement that U.S. employers display a new workplace poster describing employees’ union rights.

Hidden risk: Do your employee committees violate labor law?

11/28/2011

At first glance, management-employee participation groups seem legally risk-free. But looking deeper, such committees could, under certain circumstances, be viewed as illegal, employer-dominated unions under federal labor law.  Key point: According to a handful of NLRB rulings, an employer commits an unfair labor practice whenever it dominates any “labor organization.”

Legality of new union poster faces hearing; ruling by Jan. 31

11/22/2011
A court hearing is scheduled for Dec. 19 on two business-backed lawsuits challenging the legality of the National Labor Relations Board’s new requirement that U.S. employers display a new workplace poster describing employees’ union rights.

How to react to protests, strikes by Occupy (insert your city)

11/18/2011
With the Occupy Wall Street protests spreading to dozens of U.S. cities, you may be faced with workers who join in such activities, whether in person or via social media. How should you respond?

NLRB on social media: Facebook firing didn’t break law

11/16/2011

While the law concerning acceptable employee use of social media remains uncertain, the NLRB is starting to shed more light on what conduct is acceptable under the National Labor Relations Act. The NLRB has issued a decision in Karl Knauz Motors Inc., holding that Knauz did not violate the NLRA when it terminated an employee.

Union contract can keep you out of federal court

11/16/2011
Being a union-free workplace has many advantages, but there are also some built-in benefits to operating under a collective bargaining agreement. For one, such contracts typically require all rank-and-file employees to take their complaints to arbitration rather than filing a federal lawsuit.

Freeport firefighter claims union talk led to firing

11/09/2011
Legal action is heating up the Panhandle town of Freeport, after firefighter John Carter sued the mayor and the fire chief.

Punish employees who ‘occupy’ in their spare time?

11/01/2011
Q. What recourse do employers have against employees involved in ‘Occupy [Wherever]’ protests during off-time?

Expect union reps to aggressively push grievances

10/31/2011
Is your workforce unionized? Then expect union reps to push grievances aggressively, especially if they involve possible racial issues. That’s because more employees are suing unions over timid representation.