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“They’re funding this sham union and it is … absolutely illegal.”

Ht Dan Mitchell > A congressional committee advanced a bill on Wednesday aimed at undoing a contentious U.S. labor board decision that loosened the standard for joint employment. > > In a party line vote, Republicans on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce unanimously supported a one-sentence measure to amend the National Labor Relations Act to establish that joint employment only exists when two or more businesses share "actual, direct and immediate" control over working conditions. > > In August, the National Labor Relations Board handed down a decision in Browning-Ferris Industries Inc, which said joint employment can exist when there is direct, indirect or potential control over working conditions... > > The bill's next step is a vote before the full House of Representatives before being considered by the Senate. But the measure is not expected to have enough support to overcome a presidential veto even if Congress passes it. > > Full story at

GM / UAW negotiations

Resolution reached includes profit sharing, phases out the two-tier system for newer workers: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-10-28/gm-said-to-offer-uaw-bigger-bonus-profit-sharing-than-fca-deal Interesting process. 200 negotiators with 13 subcommittees! http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-10-25/gm-faces-sunday-midnight-strike-deadline-in-uaw-contract-talks

Interesting move. If they are independent contractors they are not protected by the labor act and Uber can retaliate. If they are employees, then this might be concerted activity. In any event, the economic weapon is the strike. > A group of Uber drivers that are fed up with the company's policies are preparing to organize a strike that will start Friday and last over the weekend. > > An organization calling itself "UBER Freedom" has called for Uber drivers to avoid the app for the entirety of the three days in an effort to get the ride-hailing company to agree to its demands. The group is calling for the addition of a tip option in the app, an increase of the minimum fare to $7, an increase of the cancellation fee to $7 and a 60% bump in all Uber X fares... > > Full story at

California Governor OKs Expansive New Equal Pay Protections

By Juliet Williams, Associated Press http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/california-enact-tough-equal-pay-law-address-wage-34289849

Just because a job doesn’t require a college education, that doesn’t mean it’s a dead end.

"...As recently as 2009 public approval for labor unions had dropped to 48 percent, according to Gallup. By last month it had risen to 58 percent..."

Pattern bargaining is a key concept. Two-tier structures another. Raises vs. job security, health care costs, concessions, and cooperative agreements all mentioned.

Walker opposes federal employee unions

h/t Dan Mitchell *Republican presidential candidate Scott Walker is hoping to pull his campaign off the mat by taking on unions — a familiar foe for the Wisconsin governor — in a sweeping plan to upend pillars of organized labor nationwide.* *Walker's plan calls for eliminating unions for employees of the federal government, making all workplaces right-to-work unless individual states vote otherwise and scrapping the federal agency that oversees unfair labor practices.* *Union leaders are livid. Tony Reardon, president of the National Treasury Employees Union that represents 150,000 federal workers, said Walker is "declaring a war on middle-class workers." And Democratic presidential contender Hillary Rodham Clinton accused him of bullying union members.* *One of Walker's Republican rivals challenged the plan, too, saying it is the wrong message for the GOP to send to unionized workers. "Instead of treating all union members like they are the enemy," said former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, "it's time we invite them to give some of us in our party a try."...* Full story at http://www.sacbee.com/news/business/article35168382.html

Electronic Signatures now accepted by NLRB

http://www.managementmemo.com/2015/09/03/unions-can-now-use-electronic-signatures-for-showing-of-interest-for-nlrb-elections/w.managementmemo.com/2015/09/03/unions-can-now-use-electronic-signatures-for-showing-of-interest-for-nlrb-elections/

As the unemployment rate goes down, firms will do more to attract and retain.

California union fees case spurring late-session talks at Capitol

H/t Professor Daniel Mitchell > Education unions want Gov. Jerry Brown to embrace a late-session measure they hope would shield them from possibly debilitating financial effects of a pending U.S. Supreme Court decision. > > For years, the unions have openly fretted about a court case, brought by Orange County teacher Rebecca Friedrichs, challenging the constitutionality of so-called “fair share” fees teachers pay in lieu of full union dues. Union officials contend the fees are needed to cover contract negotiating costs for all teachers. > > If the court rules that nonunion members cannot be compelled to pay the fees, unions fear a drop-off in union membership and a significant loss in funds. A decision is expected next year. The California Teachers Association, which is fighting the case, has characterized it as an attempt to incapacitate unions. > > Up against the clock in the Legislature, the labor groups are pushing for a bill that could give unions some time – a half-hour – to meet with employees to voice the benefits of union participation. That, some believe, could prevent workers from fully withdrawing from their ranks if the court rules against fair share fees. > > Brown’s office would not comment on the late jockeying. CTA spokeswoman Claudia Briggs said earlier this week that she was unaware of any attempts to advance the legislation. She did not return a message seeking comment on Friday. > > Asked whether his group is involved in discussions, Dave Low, executive director at California School Employees Association, which represents nonfaculty staff members at K-12 schools, said he could neither confirm nor deny its participation. > > On Friday, an opposing contingent sent a letter to lawmakers saying any legislation is premature. > > The Association of California School Administrators, California Association of School Business Officials, California Special Districts Association, California State Association of Counties and others said the issue should be sorted out by the courts before reaching the Capitol... > > Full story at http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article34092858.html

Judge scraps Tom Brady's four-game suspension

Judge scraps Tom Brady's four-game suspension Judge Richard M. Berman said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell went too far in affirming punishment of the Super Bowl winning quarterback. 'This decision should prove, once and for all, that our Collective Bargaining Agreement does not grant this Commissioner the authority to be unfair, arbitrary and misleading. Read full article

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