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Please Click HerePosted on May 5, 2015 by Ruder Ware Alumni
This post follows, and builds upon, my November 26, 2014 post Labor Unions Have Another Reason to Be Thankful: NLRB Serves Up Holiday Season Gift. On November 26, 2014, the National Labor Relations Board issued another union-friendly decision in connection with employer solicitation and distribution policies. The case is Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc. (MUBUSI), 361 […]
Posted on May 5, 2015 by Mary Ellen Schill
This afternoon the IRS issued the standard mileage rates for determining the deductible cost for operating automobiles for various purposes (business, medical, charitable) beginning January 1, 2015. Details can be found here. Even with declining gasoline prices, the reimbursement rate for business purposes actually will increase from 56 cents per mile to 57.5 cents. The […]
Posted on May 5, 2015 by Ruder Ware Alumni
Yesterday, the National Labor Relations Board issued its long-awaited email access decision in Purple Communications, Inc. There is no question that this decision is a “game changer” in the area of union organizing activity at non-union worksites. For details about the decision, and how it will impact your workplace, please read the E-Alert I prepared, […]
Posted on May 5, 2015 by Ruder Ware Alumni
On December 12, 2014, the National Labor Relations Board finalized its much-maligned representation election rules designed to make union organizing drives at nonunion workplaces much easier. The new rules make organizing easier by: (1) significantly reducing the time between when a representation election petition is filed and when the secret-ballot election is held [some observers […]
Posted on May 5, 2015 by Ruder Ware Alumni
The Equal Opportunity Employment Commission has filed a complaint against two different companies alleging discrimination against individuals because of their actions to change gender and allegations the employee was terminated because of such conduct. These are the first cases brought by the EEOC since it took the position in 2012 that transgender discrimination is prohibited […]
Posted on May 5, 2015 by Ruder Ware Alumni
We have written several blogs about the recent activity of the National Labor Relations Board that directly affects union organizing efforts. Recent action by the NLRB has authorized the use of company e-mail for union solicitation communications by employees. The NLRB has also published major revisions to the union election rules which expedite the union […]
Posted on May 5, 2015 by Ruder Ware Alumni
A decision issued last week by the National Labor Relations Board significantly changed the “deferral standard” that was used by the NLRB when considering whether a grievance arbitration award properly addressed the protection of employee rights to communicate about union activities. In the recent decision of Babcock Wilcox Construction Co., Inc. the NLRB decided that […]
Posted on May 5, 2015 by Ruder Ware Alumni
As we think about Christmas presents, the EEOC recently announced its initiatives for the next year. One of those initiatives will be a review of wellness programs and the incentives that an employer provides to employees to participate in a wellness program. The EEOC is trying to coordinate the requirements of the Affordable Care Act […]
Posted on May 5, 2015 by Ruder Ware Alumni
On December 30, 2014, a National Labor Relations Board administrative law judge (“ALJ”) issued his decision in Graymont PA, Inc., available here: Graymont_PA_Inc._Decision. Through Graymont, PA, Inc., the ALJ reminded unionized employers to think twice before implementing workplace policy changes without first notifying the incumbent union and offering an opportunity to bargain about the […]
Posted on May 5, 2015 by Ruder Ware Alumni
Recently, an administrative law judge (“ALJ”) for the NLRB concluded that a casino employer’s stated reason for terminating an employee (“Schramm”), who complained about the risks of inhaling second-hand marijuana smoke, were not genuine—and the termination of employment violated the NLRA. The case is Circus Circus Casinos, Inc., and is available here: Circus_Circus_Casinos_Inc. This decision […]