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Labor Relations / Unions

The HR I.Q. Test: March ’09

02/19/2009

Test your knowledge of recent trends in employment law, comp & benefits and other HR issues with our monthly mini-quiz …

Heading to bargaining table? Review contract language before changing benefits

02/12/2009

If your organization has a collective-bargaining agreement with a union, make sure you check with counsel before you make any changes to benefits. In some cases, promises made in past contracts—such as a promise to provide retiree health benefits—may be a binding, vested promise that cannot be undone, at least for those who have already qualified.

Spirit Airlines flight attendants don’t like new logo aprons

02/12/2009

Miramar-based low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines has run into opposition from flight attendants over a change to their uniforms. The aprons the flight attendants wear while serving customers include logos promoting alcoholic beverage brands.

Automakers offer early retirement packages

02/12/2009

General Motors and Chrysler have offered blue-collar workers at selected plants early retirement packages. The buyouts allow the struggling manufacturers to cut short-term costs, but also reduce future labor costs.

Are you a target for union organizing? 6 questions to ask

02/06/2009

The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act that President Obama signed into law last week is just the beginning of what’s shaping up to be a wave of new pro-employee legislation from the current Congress and administration. Next up on the Congressional front-burner: the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), which would make it far easier for unions to gain certification. In this Congressional climate, organized labor is poised for rapid expansion.

Court upholds ruling limiting mandatory paid leave for FMLA

02/05/2009

Sometimes, a union contract clashes with employment laws. It’s then up to an arbitrator to reconcile the two—and an arbitrator’s decision is rarely overturned on appeal.

Charter schools unionized

02/05/2009

Here’s yet more evidence that organized labor is making a comeback: Teachers at two charter schools in New York City recently voted to bring in a union.

The Obama years: 4 predictions for employment law circa 2012

01/21/2009

President Obama has put forth a significant employment and labor agenda. If he and the Democratic-controlled Congress succeed in passing proposed legislation, the next several years will see the creation of new protected classes, more family leave rights and the re-emergence of labor unions.

Senate begins confirming Obama’s HR-related Cabinet nominees

01/21/2009

Expect swift confirmation of President Obama’s nominees to head the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security, Labor and Justice. And expect the Obama administration to take a far harder line than the Bush administration did against organizations that break employment-related laws.

Rely on union contract terms when working out disability accommodations

01/16/2009

Dealing with a labor union has its headaches, but figuring out how to deal with disability accommodations isn’t one of them. The fact is, having a collective-bargaining contract in place can make that easier.