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 Labor Relations INK
Download a PDF of this issue with links here.
In This Issue:
• EFCA Update • British Airways’ Christmas Gift • Aggressive New Labor Giant Takes First Steps • PLUS December Scoreboard, Employee Relations Tip-Of-The-Month, and more…
EFCA Update
As the year comes to an end, the Employee Free Choice Act sits simmering on a back-burner, awaiting a Congress that is intent on passing some type of healthcare reform before Christmas. Our sources in Washington are saying that as January rolls around, so will the EFCA.
There is still no firm idea as to what type of compromise may actually be proposed. Apparently, all of the trial
Continue reading INK: December 22, 2009
This is a pretty amusing parody on the flaws of BLS statistics, in this case how the unemployment rate statistics dramatically understate true unemployment. There are plenty of other BLS statistics that could use a reality check – like the numbers comparing union wages to non-union workers (a statistic repeated virtually every time unions talk about the advantages of unions). These statistics overstate the actual differences in wages and benefits for unionized workers by ignoring things like regional differences, actual earning (excluding things like union dues, layoffs, etc.) or length of service. Maybe we’ll have to work on our own parody…
  
 Today the DOL announced its intention to narrow its interpretation of the “advice” exception under Section 203 of the LMRDA. You can read more here.
We have been following this closely. It is interesting how the Solis Labor Department is taking such a great interest in increasing disclosure by consultants and attorneys at the exact same time they are eliminating disclosures for unions (suspending reporting on trusts, for example). We’ll keep you posted.
The Department of Labor today issued an announcement that they intend to suspend union trust reporting for 2010. This will give the DOL an opportunity to complete their rulemaking, announced earlier this year, that will undoubtedly rescind the recent requirement that unions report on their activities related to trusts run on behalf of their members. Because, let’s face it, the “burden” of reporting how unions “invest” trust monies of union members far outweighs any interest a union member might have in how the union “fiduciaries” take care of the money he or she invests in union-controlled trust funds. Right. This is sickening. The full text of the announcement is below:
Number: 11-09
December 2, 2009
Form T-1 Rulemaking: Notice seeking public comment on a proposal to delay the filing due date of Form T-1
On December 3, 2009, the Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS) will publish in
Continue reading DOL Suspends T-1 Reporting
The United Auto Workers (UAW) has struck a deal for worker healthcare benefits that give the union complete control of the money. The losers will be first the workers, then us, the taxpayers
Labor Relations INK
Download a PDF of this issue with links here.
In This Issue:
• EFCA Update • Becker Appointment Controversy • Rules, What Rules? • PLUS October Scoreboard, Employee Relations Tip-Of-The-Month, and more…
EFCA Update
 Not much movement on the Employee Free Choice Act front, other than continued posturing by both sides. The U.S. Chamber released a new white paper debunking union studies on employer coercion. You can download the “Union Studies on Employer Coercion Lack Credibility and Integrity” here, and download all the Chamber papers on the subject here. Christopher Prandoni from the Alliance for
Continue reading INK: October 22, 2009
Labor Relations INK
Download a PDF of this issue with links here.
In This Issue:
• EFCA Update • Turmoil Behind the Scenes • Divisive Rhetoric • PLUS September Scoreboard, Employee Relations Tip-Of-The-Month, and more…
View the web-based version of this newsletter (including pictures and graphics) by visiting:
http://lrionline.com/ink-september-24-2009/
EFCA Update
 “I would just caution you to not take great comfort in the current eye of the storm and recognize that the Category Five is still forming.” Marriott Executive VP David Rodriquez warned American businesses not to be lulled into a false sense of security as the debate over health care reform has stolen
Continue reading INK: September 24, 2009
Labor Relations INK
Download a PDF of this issue with links here.
In This Issue:
• Insight from Phil Wilson • Big Labor Unveils Organizing Secrets • “Public Option” Failures • Union Support Withering • and more…
Labor Relations Insight from Phil Wilson
Mythbusting
I love that show Mythbusters. I guess any guy who remains as mature as a 14 years old – like me – probably does. What’s better than watching a bunch of pyromaniacs take on myths like, “can playing your stereo too loud cause loaded AK-47′s in the back seat of your car to spontaneously start firing” (turns out that it can’t).
Yesterday we released our latest White Paper “IS THERE A TARGET ON MY BACK? Myths and
Continue reading INK: September 11, 2009
Labor Relations INK
Download a PDF of this issue with links here.
In This Issue:
• Insight from Phil Wilson • “Time For Payback” Say Union Bosses • SEIU Watch • Coercion Beyond Cards • and more…
Labor Relations Insight from Phil Wilson
Can Employee Satisfaction Surveys REALLY Predict Union Organizing?
Employee satisfaction surveys are a pain.
They are tough to administer. If you get administration wrong you may get sketchy results. You get piles of data that can be hard to interpret. In the worst cases companies get “paralysis of analysis” and don’t report results back to employees. In these cases a survey can actually create frustration instead of fix it.
Which all begs the question: Why do an employee
Continue reading INK: August 13, 2009
Hilda Solis was confirmed as Secretary of Labor this week. After a bumpy confirmation process in which her nomination was held up by questions about her role as a lobbyist for the Free Choice Act while also serving in Congress, she was approved overwhelmingly by the Senate.Unions are happy with Solis, who served on the Board of American Rights at Work, a non-profit, union-funded lobbying organization whose purpose is to garner for the Free Choice Act. Businesses are wary for the same reason. I’m sure she is anxious to get to work. She has big shoes to fill.
The Department of Labor under Elaine Chao did an excellent job, especially on the union democracy and transparency front. Among the highlights: More than 1,000 convictions and over $100 million in restitution for union members whose hard-earned dues payments were misappropriated by union officials. A complete overhaul of the LM-2 reporting requirements
Continue reading Hilda Solis: Will She Tackle Union Corruption?
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