The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) recently reported that during the period of October 1, 2021-March 31, 2022, union representation petitions increased by 57% up to 1, 174 from 748 as compared to the previous period, and that at the same time unfair labor practice charges increased 14% up to 8, 254 from 7,255. The NLRB signified that more petitions for union elections have been filed than in the last ten years.

This is coupled with the NLRB General Counsel issuing a memo to all field offices stating that she will ask the Board to find mandatory employer meetings where employees are required to listen to employer “speech” regarding exercise of their statutory labor rights a violation of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). The memo states that the Board previously concluded that an employer does not violate the Act by requiring its employees attend these meetings and that the prior case precedent is contrary to fundamental labor-law principles. General Counsel seeks to urge that the Board require an employer convey their attendance at these meetings is voluntary in order to support the rights of employees to “refrain, or not” from attending such a meeting.

If you have a unionized workforce and need assistance in negotiating labor agreements or responding to grievances or if you may be affected by an organizing campaign and would like to know more about what this may mean to you as an employer, please contact us at Southwestern HR Consulting (SWHRC) today.

Written by | Magdalena Vigil-Tullar

HR Consultant | MBA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, CLRP

Phone: 505-270-7494 | Email: magdalena@swhrc.com

PO Box 14274 | Albuquerque, NM 87191