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Labor Relations / Unions

Bargaining with labor unions in a changing work environment

04/12/2012
The current labor environment provides opportunities for unionized employers to negotiate more favorable collective bargaining agreements. Because of the economic realities affecting U.S. workplaces and the politics of labor unions, employers are finding that unions are open to addressing subjects on which they previously had resisted change.

Court: No arbitration for government retirement plan disputes

04/03/2012

A state appeals court has reversed a lower court ruling and held that the city of Yonkers’ refusal to reimburse new employees for their statutorily required Tier V retirement plan contributions was not subject to arbitration. Our firm—Bond, Schoeneck & King—represented the city of Yonkers in the litigation.

NLRB limits arbitration agreement class-action waivers

03/29/2012
Recently, the National Labor Relations Board held that class-action waivers violate em­­ployees’ rights to engage in concerted activity. In D.R. Horton, the NLRB said that employers may not compel employees to waive their NLRA rights to collectively pursue litigation of employment claims in all forums, arbitral and judicial. What does that mean for employers?

More union members in 2011, thanks to private-sector gains

03/22/2012
Changing economic conditions and favorable rule-making in Washington helped U.S. union membership in­­crease to 14.8 million workers last year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In Illinois, 16.2% of workers belong to a union.

Union membership inched higher last year

03/16/2012
Shuffling economic conditions and favorable rule-making in Washington helped union membership rise in 2011 by 49,000 people, up to 14.8 million workers, says the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Confidential comp: Can we ban talk of pay?

03/15/2012
Q. I’m confused about what we can do to restrict gossiping over pay. We think it’s nobody’s business and our pay rates are based on a number of factors. Can’t we tell new employees that we consider compensation levels confidential?

NLRB adds another wrinkle to arbitration agreement law

03/14/2012

In January, the National Labor Relations Board held that employers may not require employees to sign arbitration agreements that waive their rights to bring class or collective actions. The D.R. Horton decision will probably be appealed. In the meantime, however, the ruling holds important implications for employers.

More union members in 2011, thanks to private-sector gains

03/14/2012
Changing economic conditions and favorable rule-making in Washington helped U.S. union membership in­­crease to 14.8 million workers last year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In Minnesota, 15.1% of workers belong to a union.

Which of these HR issues causes the biggest problems in your organization?

03/13/2012
The day-to-day squabbles of the working world cause the biggest problems for most HR pros.

Judge douses decision that gave $189K to Pasco firefighters

03/13/2012
An appeals court has thrown cold water on two Pasco firefighters who won a $189,000 jury award. The appellate judge overturned a lower court’s decision in a discrimination lawsuit they filed against Pasco County and the firefighter’s union.