Unions & Labor Relations
Is Your Business the Next Target for a Union?
Your company is most vulnerable if:
- You have had a reduction in force (layoffs) in the last 12 months.
- You have a turnover rate of over 20% per year.
- Your managers and supervisors are not trained in the do’s and dont’s of union organizing or on recognizing the key signs of union activity.
- You have experienced a union organizing drive in the last 36 months
The Employee Free Choice Act
The Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) is organized labor’s top legislative issue for 2009. Widely regarded as the most revolutionary change in American labor and employment law in more than forty years, it is legislation that labor and its allies in Congress have been growing support for since 2003.
If enacted, EFCA will dramatically shift the balance of power in the American workplace by amending the National Labor Relations Act in three main ways:
If this law passes there will be a huge rise in union activity. And, if there was ever a time to be concerned about putting measures in place to protect your workplace from an organized labor attempt – the time is now!
People vote for unions when they perceive they are not being treated fairly by their company and/or management. When employees have this perception, they often believe union organizers who tell them they’ll be treated better once they let the union do their talking.
For free downloads of Key Documents, Talking Points and other handouts from the National Association of Manufacturers, click here.
The following methods are preventative measures in keeping the union out of your workplace:
- An Up To Date Handbook
- Your handbook should have a no solicitation policy. This will allow you to stop union organizers from contacting your employees at work and coming on company property. Your handbook also needs to be in compliance with all California rules and regulations – to avoid the union from finding these errors.
- An Employee Satisfaction Survey
- Depending on the size of your company these surveys can be conducted through personal interviews (called climate studies), electronically (on line) or the old fashioned way, by hand. These tools help you take a “temperature check” of your workplace to gauge your current employees’ satisfaction level.
- An Action Hotline
- This modern tool replaces the old suggestion box and allows your employees to report work issues, anonymously, any time, day or night via a 1-800 number, to a live investigator. The concerns are then brought to your attention by a CEA Regional Director who will assist you in finding a solution to any issue.
- Supervisory Training
- Chances are your supervisors and managers have received little or no training on how to lead and coach employees effectively, nor on what to look for in the workplace in terms of unionizing attempts. As such, your workplace may be the perfect breeding ground for the union.
- EFCA Audio Conference
- Purchase a copy of the EFCA audio conference today OR call your regional director for some on-site training. Education will keep you one step ahead of the game!
Labor Negotiations
CEA has vast experience in both union and non-union environments. Effective negotiating tactics are critical in preventing workplace interruptions and protecting employer profitability. We can help negotiate your employee contracts, oversee collective bargaining agreements, and manage arbitration with your best interests in mind.