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09 Apr 2012 Another One Bites the Dust

Uncategorized | Gerald Lutkus

The NLRB has continued its assault on employer social media policies and a recent Administrative Law Judge ruling from the Board further complicates the issue. The Acting General Counsel, in his various reports on the Board’s social media cases, has made it clear that employers need to include disclaimers in their policies that nothing in the policy is meant to interfere with employee Section 7 rights.   However, a San Francisco-based ALJ, in a lengthy opinion…

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03 Apr 2012 NLRB Weekly Summary: March 26 to March 30, 2012

Uncategorized | btlabor

The National Labor Relations Board’s weekly summary of decisions for last week, March 26-30, 2012, is now available on the Board’s website. The summary can be accessed by clicking here. btlaborBT Labor Relations is managed by the labor law attorneys at Barnes & Thornburg. The blog aims to be a source for news, analysis, and commentary on traditional labor legal issues, including news related to the NLRB and a variety of state issues.More Posts -…

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31 Mar 2012 Membership Growing, Assets Dropping at UAW

Uncategorized | btlabor

The Detroit News is reporting that the United Auto Workers has added 4,000 new members in 2011.  Membership rose from 376,612 at the end of 2010 to 380,719 in 2011.  However, the UAW’s assets dropped from $1.08 billion to $1.04 billion. Its receipts also declined from $274 million to $258 million.  Despite a slight increase in membership, UAW President Bob King paints a grim future for the union if it is unable to organize foreign…

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30 Mar 2012 11th Circuit Upholds $1.7 Million Verdict Against Carpenters Union

Uncategorized | John Koenig

The 11th Circuit yesterday upheld a $1.7 million jury verdict against the Southeastern Regional Carpenters Council for illegal secondary boycott activity.  The full opinion is now available. According to the union’s own written materials, it started a campaign against a non-union contractor in Atlanta because the contractor “simply . . . pick[ed] up too much [potential union] work downtown.”  The union decided “to eliminate the threat” within 90 days. The union’s boycott included a large protest outside Emory hospital.  The union chose to “hit [Emory] hard and…

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29 Mar 2012 Congressional Bill Would Prohibit Employers from Requesting Social Media Passwords

Uncategorized | btlabor

On numerous occasions, we’ve cautioned employers regarding the Board’s recent emphasis on social media as a form of protected activity. See the following links for those previous posts: NLRB General Counsel issues additional guidance on social media cases New Facebook Cases – No Protected Concerted Activity, But Is It Surveillance?? Update on Social Media issues with the NLRB The implications of utilizing social networking activity in connection with employment decisions is now beginning to extend…

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28 Mar 2012 NLRB Weekly Summary of Cases: March 19-23, 2012

Uncategorized | btlabor

The National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) weekly summary of decisions for the week of March 19-23, 2012 is now available on the Board’s website. You can access the report by clicking here. btlaborBT Labor Relations is managed by the labor law attorneys at Barnes & Thornburg. The blog aims to be a source for news, analysis, and commentary on traditional labor legal issues, including news related to the NLRB and a variety of state issues.More…

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27 Mar 2012 NLRB Inspector General Report Stirs Controversy

Uncategorized | John Koenig

An investigation of NLRB member Terence Flynn by the agency’s Inspector General has generated calls for his resignation and for further investigation.  The Inspector General looked into whether Flynn provided deliberative information to former Board members, now in private practice, and concluded:  “The facts . . . provide a basis for finding that Mr. Flynn violated the provisions of the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch and that he lacked candor…

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26 Mar 2012 UAW Reportedly Reaching Beyond Detroit Automakers

Uncategorized | btlabor

Reuters is reporting that the United Auto Workers is soliciting signatures of support from workers at Volkswagen AG’s U.S. factory in an effort to extend its reach beyond the Detroit automakers. The full article can be accessed here.   btlaborBT Labor Relations is managed by the labor law attorneys at Barnes & Thornburg. The blog aims to be a source for news, analysis, and commentary on traditional labor legal issues, including news related to the NLRB and…

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21 Mar 2012 NLRB Weekly Summary of Cases: March 12-16, 2012

Uncategorized | btlabor

The National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) weekly summary of decisions for the week of March 12-16, 2012 is now available on the Board’s website. You can access the report by clicking here. btlaborBT Labor Relations is managed by the labor law attorneys at Barnes & Thornburg. The blog aims to be a source for news, analysis, and commentary on traditional labor legal issues, including news related to the NLRB and a variety of state issues.More…

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21 Mar 2012 Ballot Initiative Proposed by Michigan Unions Takes Aim at Right-to-Work, Other Controversial Labor Legislation

Uncategorized | btlabor

Right-to-work continues to make headlines in Michigan despite statements from the state’s Republican Governor Rick Snyder that he opposes efforts to pass right-to-work legislation in Michigan. Not content with these assurances, union officials in the state have been advocating a ballot proposal that would make right-to-work unconstitutional in Michigan.  For his part, Snyder has indicated that he also opposes the unions’ ballot initiative, stating that both positions are too divisive and are distracting from other issues….

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