Labor Relations Counsel - Legal Insight into Labor Relations Developments

The National Labor Relations Board has announced that on November 30, 2011, it will vote on a portion of its controversial proposed rule that would dramatically change representation election proceedings. Among other significant revisions to the long-standing election process, the rule would require that pre-election hearings be held within seven calendar days after a petition is filed; postpone voter eligibility determinations until after the election; require employers to complete their statement of position before evidence is heard at a pre-election hearing; and require employers to provide the union with a preliminary voter list before the pre-election hearing. The Board stated that at the November 30 meeting the three remaining members will decide whether to adopt “a small number” of these proposed changes, although which ones were not specified.

According to the Board, it has received more than 65,000 written comments on the proposed rule. The agency also conducted a 2-day hearing in July to gather public input. Taking these comments into consideration, and “in light of the possibility that the Board will lose a quorum at the end of the current congressional session,” Board Chairman Mark Pearce “will propose issuing a final rule limited to several provisions designed to reduce unnecessary litigation.” Given the current makeup of the Board, approval of the Chairman’s proposal is a foregone conclusion, with member Brian Hayes (R) sure to object. Following the vote, the Board will “proceed to draft a final rule limited to those proposals, and defer the remainder of the proposed rule for further consideration.”

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Employers will now have until January 31, 2012 to comply with the National Labor Relations Board’s notice posting rule: Notification of Employee Rights under the National Labor Relations Act. This rule, which was slated to take effect as of November 14, 2011, mandates that all private sector employers subject to the NLRA post a notice informing employees of their rights under the NLRA in a “conspicuous place” readily seen by employees and penalizes employers for non-compliance. Last month, the NLRB made available a copy of the required poster as well as a list of frequently asked questions about the rule.

According to a press release announcing the extension:

The decision to extend the rollout period followed queries from businesses and trade organizations indicating uncertainty about which businesses fall under the Board’s jurisdiction, and was made in the interest of ensuring broad voluntary compliance. No other changes in the rule, or in the form or content of the notice, will be made.

The rule itself is facing both legislative and legal challenges. Notably, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) has filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to nullify the rule. A hearing on motions for summary judgment is set for December 19, 2011. The court is expected to issue a decision on these motions before the rule’s new effective date.

For more information on the NLRB’s notice posting requirement, see Littler’s ASAP: NLRB Issues Final Rule Requiring Employers to Post a Notice Informing Employees of Their Rights Under the NLRA by Gavin Appleby and Tracy Stott Pyles. In addition, Littler invites you to a complimentary webinar on the new rule and its workplace implications.

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The National Labor Relations Board has announced (pdf) that it will hold one or more public meetings to discuss the controversial proposed changes to the Board’s representation election process. According to the notice to be published in the June 27 edition of the Federal Register, the topics of discussion are limited to issues raised by the proposed rule and suggestions for improving the election process. These meetings are in addition to the solicitation of formal written comments as outlined in the Federal Register.

The first meeting is scheduled to take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, July 18, 2011 in the Margaret A. Browning Hearing Room (Room 11000), National Labor Relations Board, 1099 14th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20570. A second meeting might be scheduled the following day if necessary. Those interested in attending or speaking at the meeting must submit a written request by 4 p.m. on Friday, July 1, 2011. Requests may be sent to Mary Meyers, Administrative Assistant to the Chairman, National Labor Relations Board, 1099 14th Street, NW, Suite 11100, Washington, DC 20570, or submitted electronically to: publicmeeting@nlrb.gov. All emails should contain the following in the subject line: “REQUEST TO ATTEND PUBLIC MEETING REGARDING RIN 3142-AA08.” All requests must include the following information: (1) attendee’s full name, (2) organizational affiliation (if any), and (3), if they are appearing in a representative capacity, the names of any individuals or organizations on whose behalf they are appearing. Attendees are reminded to bring a photo ID. Individuals interested in speaking at the meeting must also submit a brief outline of their presentation.

Littler Mendelson attorneys plan to be in attendance and will provide an update on the issues discussed.

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