Topic: Union Organizing & EFCA

New NLRB Rules Implement Controversial Elements of EFCA

Posted by Shanti Atkins

The Employee Free Choice Act (or EFCA) is something we hear very little about now. Just a few short years ago, however, EFCA generated a lot of noise and energy.  But the political landscape shifted, and EFCA became a faint memory.

That is, until President Obama appointed members of the National Labor Relations Board who, through administrative action and rule making, are working to impose many of the concepts in EFCA; this activity by the NLRB is often referred to as “EFCA Lite” and has led to some controversy.

Actions taken by the NLRB and DOL (as we first noted in our August 4, 2011 blog post) have attempted to make it easier for unions to organize employees. 

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The DOL & NLRB Propose Union Friendly Rules - Without EFCA

Posted by Shanti Atkins

EFCA may still be stalled in Congress, but that hasn’t stopped the Department of Labor (DOL) and the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) from proposing major union friendly policy changes.

Why should employers be concerned? The proposed changes make it easier for unions to organize employees, and to get quick pro-labor contracts.
 

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EFCA-Down But Not Out

Posted by Shanti Atkins

With all the recent news out of Washington focused first on health care reform, then financial reform, you may be wondering what has happened to the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), which was proposed by Congress last year. The short answer is that while EFCA was certainly pushed aside by the health care and financial reform efforts, it is by no means dead.

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ELT Survey Shows That With or Without EFCA, Unions Are Top of Mind for Employers This Fall

Posted by Shanti Atkins

Media coverage of EFCA is swinging from one extreme to the other, with the headlines announcing EFCA's assured passage, or its certain death. With all this back and forth, the real issue is being missed - our new Administration's clear support for unions and the DOL's resilient determination to make union organizing easier.

Obama has made it clear that he sees unions as part of the solution to our current recession, and our new Labor Secretary, Hilda Solis, has pronounced that unions are today, ‘more important than ever.'

Employers are taking note of these strong sentiments.

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EFCA Resurfaces: Is Your Organization Prepared for Increased Organizing Activity?

Posted by Shanti Atkins

As predicted, organized labor, the White House, and members of Congress used the symbolism of Labor Day to re-energize discussions about the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA). The momentum behind EFCA increased significantly this past week, when President Obama and other high-profile policy makers spoke at the AFL-CIO's convention in Pittsburgh.

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Obama’s Labor Day Speech Reminds Workers of His Support for EFCA & Unions

Posted by Shanti Atkins

As American workers celebrated Labor Day on September 7th, both President Obama and the AFL-CIO took the opportunity to share their respective workplace agendas.

Obama spoke at an AFL-CIO picnic in Cincinnati, Ohio, and, as expected, touted the pro-worker accomplishments of his Administration, including passage of the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, and the appointment of Labor Secretary Hilda Solis. Obama also used the occasion to reiterate his long-standing support of the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) currently pending in Congress.

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Why EFCA is Driving Union Awareness Training for Managers

Posted by Shanti Atkins

As most people who read this blog already know, the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) is pending in Congress. It's designed to make it easier for unions to organize employees, and to get quick pro-labor contracts. While it's unlikely that EFCA will pass in its current form, the momentum and support is in place to get a compromise version passed in the coming months - and Obama has already said he'd sign it if it comes to his desk.

If you'd like to learn more, check out ELT's June podcast on why EFCA is driving a heavy wave of critical union awareness training for managers.

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