Labor Relations / Unions

Low-hanging fruit: Obama reverses executive orders, favors labor

03/26/2009

President Obama has issued four executive orders that fundamentally change the government’s policy on federal contracting—in ways that dramatically favor organized labor. Obama signed the four new orders less than 30 days after taking office.

L.A. car washes charged with wage abuse, union busting

03/20/2009

On Feb. 9, the state of California filed a criminal complaint accusing four Los Angeles car washes, their owners and one manager of wage-and-hour law violations and for creating “a work environment that bordered on indentured servitude.”

Long-time Caterpillar workers lose retiree medical benefits

03/18/2009

In its 1998 collective-bargaining agreement, Caterpillar promised to provide retiree health benefits to its workers at no cost to them. By 2005, Caterpillar recognized it could no longer provide the health benefits without the retirees chipping in. When labor and management sat down at the table to hammer out a new agreement, retiree health costs was one of the sticking points …

Must we pay the union bargaining committee while we’re negotiating our next contract?

03/18/2009

Q. We are about to enter contract negotiations. In the past, we have always paid the members of the union bargaining committee for time spent in negotiations. However, we don’t have a contract provision addressing the issue. Are we required to pay union members for time spent in negotiations?

Unions at your doorstep: The ABCs of EFCA … and how to respond

03/11/2009

Let the battle begin. On March 10, The Employee Free Choice Act, commonly referred to as the “card check” bill, was introduced in Congress. It’s the top legislative priority of labor unions. If passed, EFCA would streamline the process of union organizing, tilting it substantially in favor of workplace unionization. Union-free employers should consider acting now to keep their operations union-free. Here are the action steps to take today …

Employee sues union for unfair labor practice

03/09/2009

Employees are suing everyone these days—even their own unions. William Miron, a 17-year employee of the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority, recently won a lawsuit against the Amalgamated Transit Union, which represents the bus company’s employees.

Can we prohibit salary talk?

03/09/2009

Q. As an alternative to layoffs, our company has cut employee wages. We decided to do that instead of reducing their hours. While the employees have agreed to this (hopefully) temporary measure, supervisors have received reports that workers have been discussing their new wages and salaries with one another. Our executives want to direct all employees not to discuss their wages and salary information with others. Is it legal to enforce such a rule?

Get legal help right away when union moves in

03/06/2009

After years of setbacks, the labor movement is enjoying a renaissance. More employers will find themselves with a unionized workforce. If you suspect your employees will seek union representation, hire an attorney who is an expert on organized labor unionization right away. Otherwise, you may find yourself facing unfair labor practice charges.

No home specimen collection for Newark P.D. drug tests

02/24/2009

When Newark police department representatives went to an unidentified officer’s home while he was on sick leave to collect a urine sample for drug testing, it upset the police union.

Prepare for the EFCA—even if unions never worried you before