Labor Relations / Unions

Los Angeles Times unionizes, after management’s bad press

02/21/2018

On Jan. 4 this year, employees voted 248-44 in favor of joining NewsGuild, a union that represents more than 25,000 news workers across the country. Missteps by the Times’ parent company, Tronc Inc., may have tipped the vote toward unionization.

NLRB: Anti-diversity Google engineer wasn’t illegally fired

02/21/2018

A National Labor Relations Board attorney recommended dismissing an unfair labor practices claim filed by a Google engineer who says he was illegally fired for stating that women are biologically unsuited for computer coding.

DOL launches internal probe: Was tip pool data suppressed?

02/13/2018

The Department of Labor’s Office of the Inspector General is investigating allegations that Labor Secretary Alex Acosta ordered DOL staffers to quash internal research showing that a proposed rule allowing tip pooling in the hospitality industry would cost employees $5.8 billion per year.

NLRB ready to abandon suit naming McDonald’s a joint employer

02/13/2018

With almost no fanfare, the National Labor Relations Board last month announced plans to seek a settlement with McDonald’s instead of continuing to pursue a three-year-old lawsuit that accused the fast-food chain of colluding with its franchisees to punish employees who protested for higher pay.

Robb wants to add NLRB appointees

01/30/2018

The National Labor Relations Board’s top attorney wants to add a new layer of management between headquarters staff in Washington and the NLRB’s 26 regional offices.

Industry alone may decide who DOL probes

01/25/2018

Even employers that scrupulously adhere to federal employment laws may have to contend with U.S. Department of Labor investigators. That’s because a particular employer’s conduct often has little to do with the DOL knocking on an employer’s door.

Penalties rise for employment law violations

01/18/2018

A two-year-old law requires the U.S. Department of Labor to adjust the level of employment law fines each year based on inflation.

Joint employment definition takes a pro-employer turn

01/09/2018

A new ruling by the National Labor Relations Board has defined a joint employer as one that exercises “direct and immediate” control over worker activities. For employers, that’s a welcome return to normal after two years of uncertainty.

Trump DOL nominees to testify before HELP Committee

01/09/2018

Following a lengthy hiatus, efforts to confirm Trump administration appointees to the Department of Labor appear to be getting back on track.

Austin sued by employee spurned after fire merger

01/03/2018

The former president of the union that represented employees of Travis County Emergency Services District 4 is suing the city of Austin and its fire chief over Austin’s refusal to hire him following the merger of ESD4 and the Austin Fire Department.