A number of new developments in the realm of labor will affect relations in Idaho and the rest of the U.S. These changes involve such issues as opting out of captive meetings and workers’ rights with regard to unions. It’s a good idea for employers to learn about these changes as they can affect you going forward.
Union rights are being expanded in 2022
One of the most interesting developments in current employment law is taking place as you read this. The General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has filed a brief that seeks to expand a very key union right that many employers have disputed. This is the right to gain recognition from employers via signed authorization cards.
This is a controversial move in some quarters for a number of reasons. In many cases, employers insist on the prior need for a full board election. This is the prerequisite they claim before they will bestow their recognition. Worker’s fears regarding the efficacy of so-called elections have signaled this change.
Captive audience meetings are being disputed
New perspectives on such issues as worker’s compensation, employer retaliation, and many others are being discussed in a wide ranging series of meetings taking place in 2022. One of the most prominent new topics for discussion concerns the legality of captive audience meetings.
Meetings that employees are required to attend have long been a key component of employer participation in union election campaigns. The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) has issued a memorandum stating the opinion that these mandatory meetings constitute a clear violation of workers’ rights.
A bill signed by Ned Lamont, the governor of Connecticut, is expected to have some influence on union campaigns around the nation. This bill would make mandatory meetings illegal.
