OSHA states nonunion employees may select anyone as representative for inspections *

USA - April 12 2013
On April 5, 2013, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration ("OSHA") released an interpretation letter stating that during its…

Co-authors: Craig J. O'Loughlin.

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Collective bargaining and the Affordable Care Act *

USA - October 9 2012
Employers now or soon to be negotiating new labor agreements should be aware that the Affordable Care Act (the “ACA”) contains significant new requirements and imposes certain costs for employers and their health plans.

Co-authors: John L. Barlament , David B. Kern.

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Common employer work rules found unlawful *

USA - September 25 2012
The National Labor Relations Board (the “NLRB” or the “Board”) has struck down some work rules in Costco’s handbook that are fairly commonplace, on the grounds that they have a tendency to discourage concerted activity and interest in unions.

Co-authors: John A. Klages, Jon E. Pettibone, Otto W. Immel, Dawn C. Valdivia, David B. Kern.

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NLRB temporarily suspends new union election rules *

USA - May 18 2012
As described in our May 1, 2012 update here, new rules issued by the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB” or “Board”) expediting union elections and dramatically shortening the time frame between the filing of a union representation petition and the actual election became effective April 30, despite pending challenges to their validity.

Co-authors: Jon E. Pettibone, Dawn C. Valdivia, David B. Kern.

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NLRB’s rule expediting union elections becomes effective *

USA - May 8 2012
As we noted in our December 2011 update, “NLRB Issues Rules Expediting Union Elections and Again Postponing Notices,” the National Labor Relations Board (“the Board” or “NLRB”) issued a final rule in December that will dramatically change union representation election procedures and timelines — to the disadvantage of employers.

Co-authors: Jon E. Pettibone, Dawn C. Valdivia, David B. Kern.

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