Labor Relations Update

Tag Archives: Advice

Here We Go Again: NLRB Foreshadows A Potential Return To Micro-Units

By Joshua Fox, Mark Theodore and Timothy Kelly on Posted in Uncategorized
The ability to form smaller bargaining units by breaking up larger aspects of an employer’s organization—sometimes called “micro-units”—is generally seen as an effort to enhance the ability of unions to gain entry into an employer by making it easier to organize.  Those opposed to the practice, including both employers and trade groups, contend that carving … Continue Reading

NLRB Takes One Step Closer to Expanding The Possible Damages Awarded to Employees Fired in Violation of the Act

By Mark Theodore, Joshua Fox and Eric Novak on Posted in NLRB
On November 10, 2021, the National Labor Relations Board announced that it is seeking public input to address whether the Board should award consequential damages to make employees whole for economic losses and under what circumstances.  See Thyrv, Inc. 371 NLRB No. 37 (2021). The Board’s traditional remedy for unlawful layoffs or terminations requires that … Continue Reading

Using a Cat to Chase the Inflatable Rat: NLRB General Counsel Urged Reconsideration of Board Precedent Regarding Banners and Signal Picketing of Neutral Employers

By Michael Lebowich and Joshua Fox on Posted in Advice, NLRA, NLRB, Section 8(b)(1)(A)
Continuing its efforts to overturn precedent, the NLRB General Counsel’s Division of Advice has issued a new advice memorandum looking to strike at the most recognizable sign of unionism in urban areas today – – the inflatable rat that is used to signal a labor dispute to the public. It has been long held by the Supreme … Continue Reading

NLRB Office of the General Counsel Advises that Uber Drivers Are Not Statutory “Employees”

By Mark Theodore, Joshua Fox and Jacob P. Tucker on Posted in Advice, NLRA, NLRB, Section 7, Section 8(a)(1), Section 8(a)(2), Section 8(a)(5)
In an Advice Memorandum dated April 16, 2019, but released on May 14, 2019, the NLRB’s General Counsel staked out a position in one of the most contentious and influential questions in labor and employment law today: Whether or not Uber drivers ­– and by implication, potentially, other “gig economy” workers – are statutory employees … Continue Reading

You’ve Got Mail: NLRB Requests Briefing on Standard for Employee Use of Employer Owned Electronic Communication Systems

By Michael Lebowich and Jordan Simon on Posted in Confidentiality, Email, Employer policies, NLRA, NLRB, Section 7, Social Media
In what could signify the beginning of the end for Purple Communications, Inc., 361 NLRB 1050 (2014) and guaranteed employee access to Employer computer systems for union organizing purposes, the NLRB issued a notice on August 1 inviting the filing of briefs on whether the Board should uphold, modify or overrule the decision.  Under Purple … Continue Reading

NLRB General Counsel Issues Handbook on Handbook Rules

By Michael Lebowich, Joshua Fox and Jay M. Cohen on Posted in Advice, General Counsel, Handbook, NLRA, NLRB, Non-Union employers, Section 7, Uncategorized
Following up on the NLRB’s decision in The Boeing Company, 365 NLRB No. 154 (Dec. 14, 2017), on June 6, NLRB General Counsel Peter Robb issued a new Guidance Memorandum (18-04) detailing how NLRB Regional Offices receiving claims of improper employment policies are to interpret employer workplace rules. As we reported this past December (here), … Continue Reading

Here We Go: The Full Board Finally Starts to Make Its Mark

By Michael Lebowich and Joshua Fox on Posted in Employer policies, Handbook, Joint Employer, NLRA, NLRB, Section 7, Section 8(a)(1), Unfair Labor Practices
 NLRB Reverses Precedent on Joint Employer Liability and Standard Governing Employee Handbooks This afternoon, just two days prior to the end of Chairman Philip Miscimarra’s term, the NLRB issued a pair of 3-2 decisions overruling significant precedent regarding joint-employer status and the legal standard governing whether workplace rules violate the exercise of Section 7 rights … Continue Reading

NLRB Ditches Effort To Expand Weingarten Rights to Non-Union Workplaces

By Mark Theodore on Posted in Advice, General Counsel, NLRA, NLRB, Non-Union employers, Section 8(a)(1), Uncategorized, Unfair Labor Practices, Workplace Investigations
Since the change in Presidential administrations, the main topic has turned to what rules will a newly constituted NLRB change?  With the addition of Marvin E. Kaplan the Board now has four members, which makes undoing some of the past few years a difficult task.  But a four member Board also means there likely will be … Continue Reading

NLRB Division, Some “At-Will” Clauses Ok

By Mark Theodore on Posted in Advice, At-Will, Employer policies, General Counsel, Handbook, NLRA, NLRB, Non-Union employers, Protected activity, Section 7, Section 8(a)(1), Uncategorized, Unfair Labor Practices
The Board’s excruciatingly close scrutiny of employer policies continues as the agency looks for opportunities to expand its juridiction by rooting out all evil lurking in handbooks and other written employment policies.  The NLRB has taken the position that certain “at-will” language in handbooks, language that in various forms exists in virtually every private employer’s handbook in … Continue Reading

Finding Certain Facebook Activity To Be Unprotected, NLRB Dismisses Two Charges

By Mark Theodore on Posted in Advice, Employer policies, Facebook, Handbook, LinkedIn, NLRA, NLRB, Protected activity, Section 7, Section 8(a)(1), Social Media, Social Media Policies
The intersection of social media and employee rights under the National Labor Relations Act has received a great deal of attention in recent months, including recently on this blog.  Social media sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn have made it very easy for people to stay connected.  With a simple push of the button, everyone in … Continue Reading

Regulatory Two-Step – DOL and NLRB Announce Proposed Rules Limiting Employer Communications with Employees Regarding Union Representation

By Ronald Meisburg on Posted in Uncategorized
This week federal labor agencies have launched two proposed rulemakings of significance.  Both may have a substantial impact on the substance and process of employer communications with employees on the issue of union representation. First, the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Labor-Management Services, announced a notice of proposed rule making revising the so-called “persuader” regulations. … Continue Reading

Greater Access To Employer Property A Priority To Acting NLRB GC

By Mark Theodore on Posted in Advice, General Counsel, Mandatory submissions, NLRA, NLRB
Acting NLRB General Counsel Lafe Solomon reiterated a commitment to seek ways for unions to gain greater access to employer property during organizing situations, as well as gain greater leverage in first contract negotiations.  In his GC Memorandum 11-11.pdf  dated April 12, 2011, the Acting General Counsel identified the types of matters that are required to be  … Continue Reading
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