Labor Relations / Unions

No free speech protection when speaking out is just part of government worker’s job

04/28/2016

Unlike employees in the private sector, government workers have the right to speak out on matters of public importance without being punished for doing so.

Uber settles lawsuit for $100M, retains contractor status

04/27/2016

The popular ride-sharing service has reached an agreement with its drivers in California and Massachusetts that preserves independent contractor status, but gives some new job protections.

No unemployment benefits for union objector

04/14/2016

Refusing to pay dues or agency fees may amount to misconduct. And those who commit employment misconduct don’t get benefits.

Supreme Court deadlocks in union dues case

04/01/2016

The U.S. Supreme Court has issued, at least temporarily, a reprieve from a potential death sentence for public employee unions.

How to comply with new DOL rules on anti-union ‘persuaders’

03/29/2016

A new Department of Labor rule will limit employers’ ability to use “persuaders” to convince workers to resist union organizing efforts, critics say.

Know the fine line between talking about unions and real union organizing

03/11/2016

The rules that govern employee efforts to better their working conditions are complex.

Scalia’s death could turn union dues case

02/16/2016

The death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia on Feb. 13 could affect the outcome of close cases that have already been argued but not yet decided, including one that could determine the future of government employees’ unions.

Labor relations sour at American Crystal Sugar

02/12/2016

American Crystal Sugar in Moorehead fired a warning shot across the bow of the union that represents employees when it announced in November that it wanted to begin contract negotiations early.

Court upholds union for personal care assistants

02/12/2016

A federal appeals court has dismissed a lawsuit challenging a Minnesota law that allows personal care assistants to unionize. A business group representing for-profit companies that provide in-home care filed the lawsuit.

11.1% of workers belong to a union, membership rate held steady in 2015

02/10/2016

The union membership rate—the percent of hourly and salaried workers who were union members—was 11.1% in 2015, unchanged from 2014, according to the latest numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.