Email Updates

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

International USW Ousts Local 9477’s Officials and Seizes Assets

Kollman & Saucier
Kollman & Saucier
02/19/2013
Labor Law, Union Activity
In a decidedly un-brotherly move, the President of the United Steelworkers International has placed Local 9477, the local union hall representing the steelworkers in Sparrows Point and the surrounding businesses, under an “administratorship,” Baltimore Brew reported yesterday.  According to the report, Local 9477’s officers have resigned or been suspended and last Thursday, Joe Rosel, Jr., president of Local 9477 was escorted from the premises...
read more

Employers Reminded to Avoid Unilateral Changes and Surveillance of Union Activity

Kollman & Saucier
Kollman & Saucier
02/15/2013
Labor Law
The Fourth Circuit, in an unpublished opinion, recently enforced a National Labor Relations Board decision, which concluded that a Maryland employer committed numerous unfair labor practices when it engaged in surveillance of union activities, unilaterally modified the terms and conditions of employment, and unlawfully terminated an employee.  The case, Pessoa Construction Company v. NLRB, Nos. 11-1688, 11-1776 (4th Cir. Jan. 25, 2013)...
read more

NLRB Strikes Down Employer Rule Prohibiting External Communications

Kollman & Saucier
Kollman & Saucier
01/31/2013
Labor Law, Social Media
On January 25, 2013, the NLRB continued its assault on employer policies limiting employee communications. In its latest salvo, the Board struck down rules restricting communications with media representatives and law enforcement officials, as well as a prohibition on making external disclosures about the company, its customers, and its employees.  DirecTV U.S. DirecTV Holdings LLC, 359 NLRB No. 54 (2013). At issue in the case were four DirecTV...
read more

NLRB Gives Organized Labor New Gifts for the Holidays

Kollman & Saucier
Kollman & Saucier
12/26/2012
Agency Activity, Labor Law, Social Media
Over the past several years, December holiday cheer has meant more than just Santa Claus climbing down the chimney to deliver presents in the homes of union supporters. It has also meant that it's time for the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to issue union-friendly decisions prior to the expiration of a Board member's term. 2012 has proved to be especially good one for organized labor. In a series of rulings coinciding with the end of Board...
read more

Unions Make America "Stronger" - Really?

Kollman & Saucier
Kollman & Saucier
12/12/2012
Labor Law, Legislative Developments
On Monday, President Obama told a Michigan audience that he opposes right to work laws because "unions have helped build not just a stronger  middle class but a stronger America."  If the gentlemen shown in this video from yesterday's protests at the Michigan state house are representative of union membership, we don't need this kind of "stronger America" - unless we are in need of casting for a remake of Rocky...
read more

Michigan Bill That Weakens Union Power Passes in State Legislature

Kollman & Saucier
Kollman & Saucier
12/11/2012
Labor Law, State Law
The Republican heavy Michigan Statehouse today passed “right to work” legislation that will significantly weaken a union’s powers.  Michigan’s Governor, Rick Snyder, announced that he would sign the legislation which would permit public and private sector workers at union-represented companies to forgo paying union dues as a condition of employment.  Michigan, of course, is the birthplace of the United Auto Workers, and nearly 18% of its...
read more

Four More Years: What Does Obama's Reelection Mean for Employers?

Kollman & Saucier
Kollman & Saucier
11/07/2012
Agency Activity, Disability & Leave, Employment Discrimination, Labor Law, Legislative Developments, Wage & Hour, Workplace Safety
With the results of the Presidential election now in, its time to answer a question I’ve heard from a number of clients today: what does President Obama’s reelection mean for employers?  The short answer: you can expect to see a lot of blog posts from us about aggressive enforcement initiatives by the NLRB, DOL, EEOC, and other enforcement agencies.  In this post, I’ll give you a high level overview of what I think we are going to see. NLRB:...
read more

NLRB Finds "At Will" Disclaimers in Employee Handbook to be Legal

Kollman & Saucier
Kollman & Saucier
11/02/2012
Agency Activity, Labor Law
On October 31, 2012, the NLRB did something it has not done too often in recent years: it delivered some good news to employers.  In two Memoranda from the Board’s Division of Advice, the Board found “at will” disclaimers  in employee handbooks to be lawful.   In so doing, the Board contrasted the disclaimers with one that was struck down  by an Administrative Law Judge in February. The issue presented by the disclaimers is whether or not...
read more

NLRB Strikes Down Hotel Rule Limiting Employees’ Off Duty Access

Kollman & Saucier
Kollman & Saucier
10/12/2012
Labor Law
September 28, 2012 was a busy day at the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”).  Not only did the Board issue its first Facebook ruling (Karl Knauz Motors, Inc.), it also decided it latest case invalidating an employer rule limiting employee access.  In Marriott International, Inc., 359 NLRB No. 8 (2012), the Board ruled that a hotel rule barring off duty employees from returning to the hotel interior or using its facilities without...
read more

Employer Policy Prohibiting Social Media Use During Company Time Violates the NLRA

Kollman & Saucier
Kollman & Saucier
10/03/2012
Labor Law, Social Media
The NLRB keeps at it and tells us, once again, that social media policies are almost never going to pass any smell test.  An administrative law judge for the Board issued another decision that seemingly binds the hands of employers who seek to keep their employee productive and focused on work during work time.  In ECHOSTAR, Inc., No. 27-CA-066726 (ALJ Anderson, Sept. 20, 2012),  the ALJ ruled that EchoStar Technologies’ social media policy...
read more
Email Updates

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.