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Labor Relations / Unions

NLRB to review validity of mandatory arbitration clauses

01/25/2022
The National Labor Relations Board has begun exploring whether confidentiality requirements in mandatory arbitration agreements violate Section 8(a)(1) of the National Labor Relations Act.

Respond to unions targeting small workplaces

01/20/2022
Labor unions achieved their greatest success in the 1950s by organizing large blocks of employees, such as everyone working at a steel mill or auto plant. Lately, unions have enjoyed a small but significant renaissance by convincing small groups of employees to join.

Amazon-NLRB deal a union game-changer

01/06/2022
Amazon and the National Labor Relations Board reached a historic settlement in late December in which the retail giant agreed to let employees freely join unions without fear of retaliation. The settlement may signal newfound power for organized labor in the service industry.

Labor unions gain members and influence

12/22/2021
Over the last 18 months, organized labor has enjoyed an uptick in both membership—up 0.1% in 2020—and public opinion. A 2020 Gallup poll found 65% of Americans have a favorable view of unions, the highest rating since 1965.

NLRB orders union election do-over at Amazon facility

12/02/2021
Workers at an Amazon warehouse in Alabama will have another chance to vote on union representation after a National Labor Relations Board official ruled the online retailer interfered with an election held last spring.

Know the tech tools that aid union organizing

11/02/2021
Until recently, unhappy workers could only grouse among themselves during breaks or after work. Not anymore! Now, workers enthusiastically use social media to take their concerns public and initiate union-organizing activity. These are the tech tools workers are using to accelerate union organizing. Get familiar with them and monitor them so you have time to develop an effective response.

Prepare for the coming wave of union activism and strikes

10/14/2021
The pandemic-induced labor shortage has emboldened labor unions and individual workers to demand more money and better benefits. Increasingly, they are backing up their requests with action by going out on strike.

Beware retaliation against activist employees

10/07/2021
Amazon has agreed to settle allegations it retaliated against two former employees who organized demonstrations decrying the retail giant’s environmental impact and helped employees protest working conditions.

NLRB: Student-athletes may be employees

10/05/2021
NLRB General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo issued a guidance memo on Sept. 29 advising the board’s field staff that “certain” NCAA athletes “are employees under the National Labor Relations Act, and, as such, are afforded all statutory protections.”

NLRB spells out relief for victims of unfair labor practices

09/14/2021
National Labor Relations Board General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo has directed NLRB regional officials to ensure workers and unions harmed by violations of the National Labor Relations Act “are made whole for losses they have suffered.”