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Labor Relations / Unions

43% of Department of Labor appointments still vacant

02/05/2019
More than two years into President Trump’s term, 43% of Department of Labor positions requiring Senate confirmation remain unfilled, according to an analysis by the nonpartisan, nonprofit Partnership for Public Service.

Nonunion workforce? How union rules could still trip you up

02/01/2019
The federal labor law can be a trap for the unwary—even for nonunion employers. Even if your employees don’t belong to a union, the National Labor Relations Act applies to you. Example: A nonunionized employer now has to pay $900,000 to two fired employees to settle charges that it violated the NLRA. To avoid similar trouble, you must understand this law!

They’re independent contractors! NLRB ruling limits gig workers’ right to form or join a labor union

01/28/2019
In a big win for employers, the National Labor Relations Board has adopted a broad definition to distinguish independent contractors from employees, making it difficult for contractors to form or join a union.

Blocked by senator, Feldblum won’t seek another EEOC term

01/17/2019
Former EEOC Commissioner Chai Feldblum announced Jan. 14 she will drop her bid to serve another term after Sen. Mike Lee (R.–Utah) blocked her nomination.

Court sends Browning-Ferris back to NLRB

01/10/2019
Employers have been seeking to overturn Browning-Ferris since the day it was issued, and had pinned their hopes on a legal challenge filed in March 2017. The Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled on that lawsuit Dec. 28, and employers are … confused.

New Congress, old committee

01/08/2019
One of their first orders of business after House Democrats were sworn in on Jan. 3: renaming the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

Government shutdown forces EEOC to scale back operations

01/02/2019
Until Congress and President Trump can agree on a funding scheme to fully reopen the government, EEOC staff members are not available to respond to public inquiries.

NLRB seeks more comments on joint-employment rule

12/12/2018
The National Labor Relations Board is extending the time for submitting comments regarding its proposed rule addressing its joint-employer standard.

Anti-union ultimatum costs tech firm $775,000

12/12/2018
Lanetix, a Silicon Valley software start-up, has agreed to pay $775,000 to resolve charges it engaged in unfair labor practices.

Acosta under fire for 2007 plea deal

12/11/2018
Thirty-two senators are calling for the Justice Department to investigate a plea bargain brokered more than a decade ago by Labor Secretary Alex Acosta when he was U.S. attorney in Miami.