Effective Labor Relations: Union Organizing Drives and Compliance with the National Labor Relations Act
Presented by Epstein Becker Green Attorney:
Evan Rosen
Schedule
8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Registration and Breakfast
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Program
On January 31, 2012, private employers will be required to post a notice informing their employees that they have the right to join or form a labor union. This notice posting requirement comes on the heels of several other changes in federal labor law, all of which are designed to make it significantly easier for unions to organize employees. Georgia health care companies have traditionally not had to worry about union organizing drives as much as companies in other states have. However, as Bob Dylan wrote, "the times they are a-changin.'" Unions rely on union dues for revenue and are constantly looking for new markets, such as Georgia, in which to expand. The health care unions are some of the strongest in the country and have gotten even stronger with the founding of the National Nurses United in late 2009.
Even employers that do not believe that they will be subject to a union organizing drive should be mindful of new developments in the law, which can result in non-union companies facing significant liability. Indeed, many employers do not realize that the National Labor Relations Act applies to them, even if their employees are not part of a union. For example, there have been more than 100 cases this past year in which employers were alleged to have unlawfully disciplined an employee for criticizing the company or a supervisor on Facebook or other social media platforms. Many other common employment policies, such as a requirement that employees keep their wages confidential, have been struck down as unlawful.
This breakfast briefing will train managers and administrators on how to avoid and thwart a union organizing campaign and identify best practices for drafting employment policies. Specifically, the briefing will:
- Explain the requirements of the January 31, 2012 notice posting rule
- Identify the telltale signs of union organizing
- Describe the union card signing and election process, and how changes in the law will make it easier for unions to organize
- Discuss the "dos and don'ts" of what managers may say about unions without committing an unfair labor practice
- Detail defensive tactics to avoid and thwart a union organizing drive
- Explain how the National Labor Relations Act applies to non-union employers
- Identify best practices for drafting policies that do not violate federal labor law, including social media policies, confidentiality policies, and media communication policies
Registration Is Complimentary
To register, please click here.
For additional information, please contact Elizabeth Gannon or call 202-861-1850.