UAW Hopes “If We Build It, They Will Join” When Opening Chattanooga Local 42

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…
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Private Sector, Male Dominated Unions Out, Public Sector, Female Dominated Unions In

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…
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NLRB Permits Illinois Striker to Grab Crotch in Direction of Female Non-Union Co-Worker

An Illinois telephone company suspended a worker after he grabbed his crotch in a move obviously intended for a female non-union employee to see. According to the company, the female employee was upset by the incident, and the act was a form of sexual harassment, an implied threat of violence, and an indicator of future…
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Domino’s Pizza Franchisee’s Arbitration Agreement Violates the NLRA

A Domino’s Pizza franchisee violated the National Labor Relations Act by maintaining an arbitration agreement barring workers from bringing class claims, despite the argument that an opt-out provision set the agreement apart from the one in D.R. Horton that did not have opt-out option. According to the NLRB Administrative Law Judge, the agreement that required…
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The Fat Lady is About to Sing as Unions Jeopardize the Metropolitan Opera

Personnel expenses account for $200 million of the Metropolitan Opera’s $327 million budget. The Met wants to reduce labor costs by 16% by getting the union to accept modern-day, common sense work rules and less generous pension and health benefits. Orchestra members reportedly make $200,000 per year on average and get 16 weeks off with…
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Illinois Car Dealership’s Factual Statement Violated NLRA During Union Organizing Drive

Liberty Toyota factually told its Illinois employees that their Florida counterparts were still waiting for a union contract three years after voting for union representation. According to the NLRB, this factual statement “effectively communicated” that if the Illinois employees voted in favor of the International Association of Machinists union, that they too would suffer years…
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