Labor Relations / Unions

Supreme Court hears arguments on NLRB recess appointments

01/24/2014

The U.S. Supreme Court recently heard oral arguments in a closely watched case involving the president’s recess appointment power. The case appeals a federal court ruling that President Obama’s appointment of three members to the National Labor Relations Board in 2012 was unconstitutional.

Supreme Court dismisses controversial LMRA case

01/22/2014

The U.S. Supreme Court dismissed the case of UNITE HERE Local 355 v. Mulhall, which questioned whether a neutrality agreement in which the employer agreed to remain neutral on union organizing efforts violated the LMRA. For now, the question remains unresolved.

NLRA and Taft-Hartley Act

01/13/2014

HR Law 101: In 1935 Congress passed the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), giving workers the right to organize, to bargain collectively and to strike. By the late 1940s unions had become politically and economically powerful, and Congress decided to amend the act to develop a more balanced national labor policy …

NLRB’s pro-union poster is (finally) officially dead

01/08/2014

The National Labor Relations Board has thrown in the towel in its 2½-year effort to compel most private-sector employers to display a poster informing employees of their right to form or join unions.

5th Circuit rejects NLRB D.R. Horton decision on class-action waivers

01/07/2014

In a major win for employers, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the highly controversial D.R. Horton decision from the NLRB.

Charlotte Burger King site of protest for higher pay

01/03/2014

Charlotte was one of several cities where fast food workers staged November protests calling for higher wages. The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) organized the protests to spotlight the low wages many in the fast food industry receive.

Negotiating union contracts: Seek attorney’s help when drafting arbitration clause

12/24/2013

While having a union in the workplace may not be ideal, having a union contract in place clarifies many of the work rules your employees must follow, as well as how your disciplinary process must work.

Nurses union responds to Star Tribune story

12/23/2013

The Minneapolis Star Tribune recently ran an investigative report showing how easily Minnesota nurses can evade background check requirements and how few face discipline for serious misconduct. Now the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) has come out in favor of tougher standards.

NLRB: Walmart threatened Black Friday protesters

12/23/2013

The NLRB has determined that retail giant Walmart threatened retaliation against employees considering staging protests on Black Friday in 2012.

Union president in Longview sentenced for embezzlement

12/16/2013

A federal judge has sentenced the former president of GMP Allied Workers Local 284 to 12 months and one day in prison after he pleaded guilty to embezzlement charges. The union official admitted taking $124,181 from the Longview-based local between 2000 and 2011.