NLRB Honors Labor Day With Redefined Rules

by Preston Richardson
Redefined Rules Just In Time For Labor Day

Since Labor Day celebration is fast approaching , changes have been made in NLRB rulings. The NationalLabor Relations Board has released decisions that weaken the rights of the workers to say “no” to these union organizers. The term “collective bargaining unit” has been redefined by the NLRB to make it possible for workers to form micro-unions. Workers who belong to a community with the same interest also belonged under the same union.  For example, in a grocery store, a collective bargaining unit must represent all the employees with an hourly rate.

More Chances To Micro-Unions Starting Labor Day

NLRB gives workers more reasons to celebrate this Labor Day. NLRB this week has dumped the old way of defining “collective bargaining unit”. According to the new standard being set by NLRB, unions can now organize smaller micro-unions to represent only a few workers.  This way, stores can now have separate unions for cashiers alone, while all the other workers are not part of this union. These rules will then allow the act of gerrymandering unions to disenfranchise workers that contradict unionizing.  If a certain union knows that other workers like shelf-stockers would not agree with unionizing, another proposal of a bargaining unit not to include them can be made. So, in this case, if the cashiers will agree on something, the shelf-stockers are required not to comment. But, these shelf-stockers who were excluded would still share all the downsides as well as risks of unionizing.

NLRB Gives More Options To Workers And Union Organizers

However, participating in strikes can make them lose their jobs, or if the union sends the company tobankruptcy, then workers have no more chances of going back to work. The NLRB has decided that those workers who are not willing to take the risks may now choose not to vote.  Thus, making union organizers lives easier, though it cannot easily improve each worker’s rights. The second ruling that NLRB has released is about the existence of secret ballots.  Under the present law, it is not necessary for unions to organize workers through the use of a secret ballot.  However, if a company is amenable to it, signatures may be solicited by using their union authorization cards.

In this article, you learned that the term “collective bargaining unit” has been redefined by the NLRB to make it possible for workers to form micro-unions. According to the new standard being set by NLRB, unions can now organize smaller micro-unions to represent only a few workers. The NLRB has also decided that those workers who are not willing to take the risks may now choose not to vote.  Thus, making union organizers lives easier, though it cannot easily improve each worker’s rights.