Labor Relations / Unions

What the big UPS–Teamsters Union contract means for employers

08/04/2023

United Parcel Service and the Teamsters Union, which represents more than 340,000 UPS employees, have tentatively agreed to a new union contract that—if approved by rank-and-file workers—will avert a strike that threatened to shut down the U.S. supply chain just as retailers are gearing up for busy back-to-school and holiday seasons.

Beware growing influence of pro-worker NLRB

07/20/2023

A decade ago, the National Labor Relations Board—the independent agency that enforces the National Labor Relations Act—was considered a relatively minor player on the employment-law scene compared to the Department of Labor and the EEOC. No more.

Is it OK to disable online comments to silence pro-union messages?

07/20/2023

Employees have the right under Section 7 of the NLRA to engage in protected concerted activity—to complain between and among themselves about terms and conditions of employment. This right includes the right to express an opinion in favor of unionization and against the termination of co-workers who were allegedly fired for supporting the union. Section 7 covers social media posts and comments.

NLRB moves to ban noncompetes, but options remain

07/17/2023

In a memo to the agency’s regional directors, NLRB General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo announced her conclusion that including noncompete agreements in employment and severance agreements violates the National Labor Relations Act.

PRO Act passes Senate milestone, almost certain to die in House

06/26/2023

A major piece of pro-union legislation has advanced in the Senate. On June 21, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions marked up S. 567, the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act.

NLRB ruling: Weigh context when punishing employee for angry outbursts

06/21/2023

The National Labor Relations Act, which is administered by the National Labor Relations Board, protects employees’ right to form and join a labor union and engage in so-called concerted activities to improve working conditions. Recently, the NLRB ruled that occasional angry outbursts—even if offensive enough to potentially create a hostile environment under Title VII—are protected activity under the NLRA.

Supreme Court backs employers that suffer damages during union strikes

06/05/2023

In a near-unanimous 8-1 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court has signaled it won’t tolerate union misbehavior that damages employer property even when tensions run high.

Amazon delivery drivers in California are first to unionize

05/15/2023

Drivers who deliver Amazon packages in Southern California have voted to join the International Brotherhood of Teamsters union. The union contract will bring driver wages to $30 per hour by September.

NLRB: Employers can’t ban racial justice discussions in the workplace

05/12/2023

If your organization is trying to diversify its workforce with a diversity, equity and inclusion initiative and operates in multiple states, you know how hard it is to do the right thing. Some states welcome your efforts. Others block certain training programs or some theories from being taught. Now the National Labor Relations Board has entered the fray.

Court to Tesla: Anti-union meetings OK, Musk’s tweets are illegal threats

04/24/2023

A federal appeals court has weighed in on what management can do to dissuade employees from voting to unionize. It said holding meetings to explain why the employer opposes the union is fine. However, instituting a workplace rule that says employees can’t talk to the media illegally infringes on worker rights under the National Labor Relations Act.