ABOUT THE AUTHORS Michael G. Pedhirney is a shareholder in the San Francisco office of Littler Mendelson, P.C., the largest U.S.-based law firm exclusively devoted to representing management in labor and employment law. Michael focuses on the representation of management in a broad range of labor and employment law matters, particularly collective bargaining and matters before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). In addition to appearing in state and federal courts and before the NLRB, Michael also represents employers in collective bargaining and handles arbitrations and mediations. Karen A. Sundermier, in her current role as a Knowledge Management Counsel for Littler, helped design Littler LaborSmart™, an interactive, online tool that allows in-house legal and labor relations professionals to access all of their company’s collective bargaining agreements in a structured, searchable database. The tool allows companies to swiftly identify and compare language for contract administration, grievance, and negotiation purposes. Prior to turning her focus to offering strategic and innovative legal service solutions, Karen represented employers in a broad spectrum of employment and labor matters and assisted employers with representation elections and collective bargaining as a Littler associate and in- house employment counsel. She currently serves as an editor for Littler’s publications on labor relations topics. © 2018 LITTLER MENDELSON, P.C. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. i COVERAGE Scope of Discussion. This publication explains union election procedures and the NLRB’s role in overseeing elections. It also explores NLRB precedent on objectionable conduct by different parties that may result in election results being overturned. Also included is information concerning actions employers are permitted to take and are prohibited from taking in advance of and in response to union organizing drives. Although the major recent developments in federal employment and labor law are generally covered, this publication is not all-inclusive and the current status of any decision or principle of law should be verified by counsel. The focus of this publication is federal law. Although some state law distinctions may be included, the coverage is not comprehensive. To adhere to publication deadlines, developments and decisions subsequent to April 1, 2018 are generally not covered. Disclaimer. This publication is not a do-it-yourself guide to resolving employment disputes or handling employment litigation. Nonetheless, employers may find the information useful in understanding the issues raised and their legal context. This publication is not a substitute for experienced legal counsel and does not provide legal advice regarding any particular situation or employer or attempt to address the numerous factual issues that inevitably arise in any employment-related dispute. The materials in this publication are for informational purposes only, not for the purpose of establishing an attorney-client relationship. Use of and access to this publication does not create an attorney-client relationship between Littler Mendelson, P.C. and the user. © 2018 LITTLER MENDELSON, P.C. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. All material contained within this publication is protected by copyright law and may not be reproduced without the express written consent of Littler Mendelson. © 2018 LITTLER MENDELSON, P.C. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS § 1 OVERVIEW OF UNIONS & THE ELECTION PROCESS ............................................................................................... 1 § 1.1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................... 1 § 1.2 BRIEF HISTORY OF UNIONS ................................................................................................................ 1 § 1.2(a) National Labor Relations Act & National Labor Relations Board........................................... 1 § 1.2(b) Shifting Union Alliances .......................................................................................................... 2 § 1.2(c) Decline of Modern Unions: Union Membership & Election Statistics .................................... 3 § 1.2(d) Factors Contributing to the General Decline in Union Membership ....................................... 4 § 1.2(e) Labor Movement’s New Strategies .......................................................................................... 5 § 1.3 RECENT BOARD & DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ACTIVITY ON UNION ORGANIZING & ELECTIONS ....................................................................................................................................... 7 § 1.3(a) Union Representation Election Rule: Effective April 14, 2015, But Under Review by the Board .................................................................................................................................. 7 § 1.3(b) “Persuader” Rule: Enjoined June 27, 2016 & Under Consideration for Rescission ................ 8 § 1.4 ELECTION PROCEDURES ..................................................................................................................... 9 § 1.4(a) Petition ..................................................................................................................................... 9 § 1.4(b) Pre-Election Posting............................................................................................................... 10 § 1.4(c) Pre-Election Hearing .............................................................................................................. 10 § 1.4(c)(i) Employer Statement of Position ............................................................................... 11 § 1.4(c)(ii) Initial Employee List ................................................................................................ 11 § 1.4(c)(iii) Topics Covered During Pre-Election Hearing .......................................................... 11 § 1.4(c)(iv) Stipulated Election Agreement ................................................................................. 12 § 1.4(d) Direction of an Election ......................................................................................................... 12 § 1.4(e) Notices of Election ................................................................................................................. 12 § 1.4(f) Excelsior List Rule ................................................................................................................. 12 § 1.4(g) Voting & Ballots .................................................................................................................... 13 § 1.4(h) Language Problems ................................................................................................................ 14 § 1.4(i) Observers ............................................................................................................................... 14 § 1.4(j) Pre-Election Conference ........................................................................................................ 15 § 1.4(k) Challenges .............................................................................................................................. 15 § 1.4(l) Ballot Count ........................................................................................................................... 15 § 1.4(m) Objections to the Election ...................................................................................................... 15 § 1.4(n) Test of Certification ............................................................................................................... 16 § 1.5 ELIGIBILITY TO VOTE IN UNION ELECTION & APPROPRIATE BARGAINING UNIT .............................. 16 § 1.5(a) Eligibility to Vote .................................................................................................................. 16 § 1.5(a)(i) “Employees” v. “Supervisors” ................................................................................. 16 § 1.5(a)(ii) Nontraditional “Employee” Groups ......................................................................... 18 § 1.5(a)(iii) “Part-Time Employees” v. “Casual Employees” ...................................................... 19 § 1.5(a)(iv) Temporary Workers & Joint Employment ............................................................... 19 § 1.5(a)(v) Laid-Off Employees ................................................................................................. 21 § 1.5(a)(vi) Undocumented Workers ........................................................................................... 21 © 2018 LITTLER MENDELSON, P.C. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. iii § 1.5(b) Appropriate Bargaining Unit ................................................................................................. 22 § 1.5(b)(i) Micro-Bargaining Units ............................................................................................ 23 § 1.6 OVERTURNING AN ELECTION BECAUSE OF OBJECTIONABLE CONDUCT BY AN EMPLOYER OR UNION ............................................................................................................................................ 24 § 1.6(a) Changes in Conditions of Employment & Promises by the Employer .................................. 25 § 1.6(b) General Shoe Doctrine: Laboratory Conditions Test ............................................................. 25 § 1.6(c) Misrepresentations ................................................................................................................