Labor Relations / Unions

Prevent pro-union postings at work by limiting personal solicitations

12/01/2002

After a union launched an organizing campaign at an Arkansas hospital, a nurse put up a screen saver on a hospital computer that said “Look for the U.” Her supervisor gave …

Off-work months during grievance don’t count toward FMLA eligibility

11/01/2002

Plant worker John Plumley was off the job for six months while he dealt with a grievance filed under the collective bargaining agreement. Ultimately, an arbitrator reinstated Plumley and awarded him …

Reach out to staff: Workers more receptive to union appeals

11/01/2002

Now’s the time to improve your employee relations. Reason: Labor unions see opportunity in the current anti-corporate mood, and they’re hoping to ride this wave of public distrust to victories in …

Don’t deny ADA accommodation due to ‘potential’ seniority break

10/01/2002

After 18 years as a truck driver, Donald Dilley developed back trouble and was limited by his doctor to lifting less than 60 pounds at a time. Dilley asked for routes …

You don’t have to bargain with union formed by coercion

09/01/2002

During an organizing campaign at a clay processing plant, pro-union senior staffers routinely threatened production and maintenance employees, telling them to support the union or else they’d be “squeezed like a …

NLRB shake-up may cause reversals on key cases

09/01/2002

You can expect some good news from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Reason: If the Senate confirms a new slate of Bush appointees to the NLRB, it will be the …

High court: Weingarten rights stand; state family leave case on docket

08/01/2002

It’s official: Employees have the right, even in nonunion workplaces, to bring a co-worker as a witness to an investigative meeting that could result in discipline. Nonunion employees won …

To beat the union heat, avoid 7 deadly management sins

08/01/2002

Why do some employers manage to operate their company in a union-free environment, while others in the same industry and city have a unionized work force? The reasons fit into …

Religious bias: No special exceptions to union pact

06/01/2002

Trucker David Virts refused to work with women during “sleeper runs” because of his religious beliefs. After his first refusal, he was warned. After his second refusal, the company fired him. …

Toughen your hiring policy to help neutralize union ‘salts’

05/01/2002

In applying for a job with a heating and air conditioning company, an applicant stated that he had been laid off from his previous job. But the truth was that the …