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Union Powerpoint Union Issues for Non-Union Employers Presented By Karen R. Harned, Esq. Executive Director The NFIB Small Business Legal Center is the voice for small business in the courts and the legal resource for small business owners nationwide. While the information provided in this webinar is intended to be accurate, it should not be considered legal advice. The Legal Center cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. 2 Overview • The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) – Who is covered – most likely, YOU! – Why should you care? • Non-union Employer Obligations Under The NLRA – Protected concerted activity – non-union employee rights under the NLRA – Unfair labor practices – what they are and what you can do to avoid charges – TIPS on what you can/can’t say/do about unions • Employee Free Choice Act – Change IS Coming! 3 National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) Who Is Covered By The NLRA? • Most Likely -- YOU – The NLRA applies to any business that “affects commerce,” that’s virtually every employer in the U.S. – Number of employees does NOT matter – Few specific exclusions from the NLRA (i.e., agricultural workers, airline workers, and railroad workers). 4 National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) Why Should I Care About The NLRA? • Unions are very focused on organizing • The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), which enforces the NLRA, is very pro-union and likely to get enhanced remedies against employers 5 National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) Employee Rights Under The NLRA: • “Right to form, join, or assist” a labor union; • To bargain collectively through representatives of their choice; • “To engage in other concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid or protection; and • Right to refrain from such activities • Enforced by the NLRB 6 Unfair Labor Practices • Employers and unions commit an “unfair labor practice” if they discriminate, coerce, or intimidate employees to discourage or force employees to join unions. • Even with no formal union activity, employers can still commit “unfair labor practices” • Penalty = Backpay 7 Protected Concerted Activities • The Right to Strike • The Right to Complain • The Right to Support Political Activities • “Weingarten Rights” 8 Protected Concerted Activities The Right to Strike • No union needed for a “wildcat strike” • Requires two or more employees • Concerns a dispute over a term or condition of employment (e.g., pay, working conditions) • Employees cannot be disciplined or fired • In limited circumstances, economic strikers can be replaced. However, unconditional offers to return to work must be honored by either returning to position or placing on a preferential hiring list • If your business undergoes a “wildcat strike” do NOT take or threaten disciplinary action – call a labor attorney immediately! 9 Protected Concerted Activities The Right to Complain • By or concerning more than one employee • About wages, benefits, or working conditions • May concern more general organizational matters (e.g., staffing ratios at a hospital) 10 Protected Concerted Activities The Right to Support Political Activities • Eastex v. NLRB: Employees allowed to organize lobbying campaign against right- to-work laws • Political activities can be restricted to non- work time and non-work areas 11 Protected Concerted Activities “Weingarten Rights”– Can I have a witness? • Right for unionized employees to have a witness in disciplinary interviews • Right may be reinstated to non-union employees 12 Employer Policies That Impact Employee NLRA Rights • Anti-loitering policy is valid only if: – Limits access to interior of plant/working areas – Clearly communicated to all employees – Applies to all off-duty employees seeking access to plant/working area for any reason (not just unions) • Anti-solicitation policy is valid only if: – Prohibits solicitation only during working time (not work hours) – Applies to all forms of solicitation • Anti-distribution policy is generally valid if confined to “work areas.” – More flexibility for retailers and health care facilities 13 Employer Policies That Impact Employee NLRA Rights • Restrictions on company bulletin board postings must apply to all employee communications • Employer does not have to let employees use e-mails for union organizing • Union insignia and buttons may only be restricted under “special circumstances”. 14 Employer Policies That Impact Employee NLRA Rights • Confidentiality policies should not limit employee discussion of wages, benefits and work conditions • Hiring Issues: Be careful to treat all applicants similarly 15 Pop Quiz Which of the following could be a “protected concerted Activity”? A. One employee protesting for better wages B. Three employees refusing to work until the air conditioning is turned on C. Five Employees engaging in discussions with management to get a health care plan with a lower deductible. 16 Employer Do’s and Don’ts Regarding Union Organizing Employee Right to Unionize • A union can win exclusive representation with majority employee support – Secret ballot election conducted through NLRB • Management cannot interfere with employees seeking to organize the union 18 Supervisors v. Employees • Supervisors don’t have right to organize or engage in protected concerted activity • “Supervisor” is defined broadly under NLRA: – Individuals who assign or direct work – Recommend any number of actions – Agents of the employer 19 Supervisors v. Employees • Supervisors are covered if they have suffered adverse employment action because they: – Gave testimony adverse to employer interest during an NLRB proceeding – Refused to commit unfair labor practices – Failed to prevent unionization 20 Union Organizing Campaigns • A business may see no evidence that a union organizing campaign is underway 21 Signs Of An Organizing Campaign Employees change their behavior • Stop communicating with supervisors • Start forming different employee alliances • Start taking longer breaks • Start complaining about new things, often in groups • Start asking questions about company policies and benefits • Two distinct (and sometimes hostile) groups of employees emerge • Start using union terms 22 Union Organizing Campaigns Union Authorization Cards • Authorization cards allow a union to represent signers • Employees may revoke cards at anytime • If 30% of employees sign cards, union can hold election • In practice, unions will wait until they have 50- 75% of employees signing cards 23 Union Organizing Campaigns Union Obtained Cards from Majority of Employees • May ask union to recognize union status voluntarily • Employer should never look at cards or verify that union has majority • Instead, employer should doubt majority status and get legal counsel 24 “Preventative Maintenance” • Union Free Policy • Wages and Benefits • Fairness • Employees are Important 25 Permitted Employer Restrictions On Union Access • Bar non-employee union reps from the property if the general public is also excluded • Prohibit solicitation by unions (and others!) during working time (not hours) or in work spaces • Restaurants can prohibit solicitation in retail areas and dining areas during business hours • Healthcare companies can prohibit solicitation in patient caretaking areas at all times 26 Union Access Rights Employers May NOT: – Forbid employees to solicit other employees during breaks, off- duty time, in non-working areas or – Ban the wearing of union buttons or shirts without a valid business reason 27 Permitted Employer Statements • F: You Can State The FACTS • O: You Can Give Your OPINION • E: You Can Provide EXAMPLES 28 Permitted Employer Statements • Do not have to sign authorization card • Warn about “trick authorization cards” • Free to vote however they like • Voting done by secret ballot • Provide opinion on unions • No guarantee of increases of wages / benefits • Must pay dues and be subject to union rules • Decrease direct communication w/ supervisors • Once in, union valid for at least 12 months 29 Illegal Employer Statements About Unions • Use the TIPS and Avoid the PITS • No Threats • No Interrogation • No Promises • No Spying 30 Illegal Employer Statements About Unions • Examples of Threats: • “If the union comes in, we will close our offices and lay off employees.” • “We will do everything we can to prevent a union from coming in.” • “The company forbids you to support the union, sign authorization cards or speak to union reps.” • “If a union is voted in, there will be strikes.” 31 Illegal Employer Statements About Unions • Examples of Interrogation: • “What are your views on the union?” • “Who is leading the charge to get a union in here?” • “What does Sally think about the union? How will she vote?” • “Have you heard of a union sniffing around?” • “I heard there was a union meeting, how did it go?” 32 Illegal Employer Statements About Unions • Examples of Promises: • “If you all vote against the union, we will give all employees an extra day off a year.” • “Joe, I think you are due for a promotion, just make sure that you don’t vote the union in.” • “If you all vote against the union, we will make sure everyone gets a 5% raise.” 33 Illegal Employer Statements About Unions • Examples of Spying: • Lingering around the water cooler or break room, if you normally don’t hang out there, just to try to overhear what the employees are saying about the union. • Monitoring phone conversations or e-mail activity about union activity. 34 Employee Free Choice Act (“Card Check”) 35 Card Check In A Nutshell • If a simple majority
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