The Obama Administration threw two power punches for Big Labor last week with back-to-back announcements from the DOL and the NLRB that propose punishing new anti-business reporting requirements and election procedures. And with the economy sputtering into yet another jobless summer, there can be only one plausible rationale for further demonizing job creators – to placate disenthralled union bosses as we round the bend into 2012. 
Last Tuesday the Labor Department proposed intrusive new reporting requirements for any advice, counsel or product the DOL might somehow someday hypothesize was used, even in small part, to maintain a union free workplace. Then on Wednesday the NLRB delivered the left hook – proposed rule changes that could potentially narrow the timeframe for union elections to as few as ten days. Taken together the proposed changes seem designed specifically to address the great bane of the labor movement – employers who dare to challenge with facts and reason the union organizer’s head games and hot air. Of course, union officials (including those now enjoying appointments within the Obama Administration) have never been particularly excited about protecting informed free choice. (Let alone private sector job creation!) Just ask Boeing workers in South Carolina whose union decertification vote two years ago could now cost them their jobs. On to the good news – it’s still possible to keep these changes from going into effect, but only if concerned parties make their case. LRI has set up dedicated web pages with links to recorded webinars on both the NLRB election and DOL reporting changes. These webinars offer rare in-depth expert analysis of the proposed changes including potential repercussions for all employers should these proposals become law. You only have until 4PM Friday July 1 to register for the July 18 NLRB open meeting on proposed “speedy election” changes. Written comments on both DOL and NLRB changes are being accepted until August 22. Along with the webinars, you can find links, breaking news, detailed info and help with commenting on the proposals. Click HERE for the OLMS “Advice” rule proposal, and HERE for the NLRB streamlined elections proposal.
