AFL-CIO Joins SEIU in Announcing Staff Layoffs

I recently reported that the SEIU slashed its budget by $90,000,000. Not to be outdone, the AFL-CIO is laying off a lot of workers. The AFL-CIO is dismissing dozens of staff members – both union and management – amid continuing declines in union membership. Oh yeah, they, too, are blaming President Trump and his not-yet-enacted labor laws and policies, and not-yet appointed DOL Secretary and NLRB Members for the union’s anticipated decline over the next several years.

What I found interesting was the PR spin that the unions put on the layoffs. The AFL-CIO said it was “restructuring.” The SEIU said it was “realigning our resources and streamlining our investments.” So what’s interesting about that? When one of my clients does that, and it results in the loss of union jobs, the union says the restructuring and realignment was motivated by anti-union animus and files an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board. Will the affected union member employees file the same charges against their union/employer? What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.

Matt Austin owns Austin Legal, LLC, a boutique law firm based in Ohio that limits its representation to employers dealing with labor, employment, and OSHA matters. You can call Matt at (614) 285-5342 or email him at Matt@MattAustinLaborLaw.com.