ValleyCare Trumbull Memorial Hospital notified the Service Employees International Union District 1199, covering nurses who work at the Hospital, of its intent to transition to a nurse staffing model that uses only registered nurses (RN) and nursing assistants. The Hospital will lay off over 40 licensed practical nurses (LPN). LPNs have typically received an associate…

After losing 120 production hours in May because of unscheduled bathroom breaks, WaterSaver Faucet Co. unilaterally implemented a policy prohibiting employees from taking restroom breaks lasting more than 6 minutes. While draconian on its face, employees are able to use the washroom during their 10-minute morning break, 30-minute lunch break, 15-minute afternoon break, and 5-minute…

Employees of UnitedHealth Group, Inc. tried to file a wage and hour class action against the employer but were forced to, instead, arbitrate their claims individually pursuant to the arbitration agreement they signed at the time they were hired. After losing their plea to file a class action, the employees sought – and received –…

During a union organizing drive, a company employee asked the human resource director of Liberty Toyota if low-paid technicians could see the changes in the company’s pay plan without selecting a union. The HR director responded, “I think it’s absolutely possible,” and asked for the opportunity to address pay issues “before you pay [a union]…

The United Autoworkers Union lost a close, extremely important election at the Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee a few months ago. Had the UAW won, its victory would have marked the first time a union represents employees of an auto manufacturer in the southern United States. Riding the momentum from the close election, the UAW…

The typical union worker now is more likely to be an educator, office worker, or food or service industry employee rather than a construction worker, autoworker, or electrical mechanic. Until recently, the unionization rate was far higher in the private sector than in the public sector. “The basic structure of the labor union movement has…