HR Morning: Obama’s latest push for unionization: The threat’s real

[Omaha Steve]

Look how the HR mag fears unions. :-)

May 14, 2010 by Tim Gould



Get the feeling the Obama administration’s pushing for increased union participation? Just wait ’til you hear the latest development.

The National Mediation Board (NMB) — which basically serves as the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for railroads and airlines — has just made it easier for employees in those industries to unionize.

The three-member NMB adopted a new rule: If more than half of voting employees approve, the union’s in.

Under the old rule — which had been in effect since the mid-1930s — a union could only be certified if it was approved by a majority of the entire workforce that would be organized. Under that arrangement, workers who didn’t cast ballots were counted as “no” votes.

New appointment is the key

Here’s the backstory: The rule change became possible after President Obama appointed Linda Puchala, a former airline union official, to the NMB earlier this year.

The other members of the board are Harry Hoglander, a former pilot and union honcho, and Elizabeth Dougherty, an attorney and former aide to President George W. Bush.

As you might imagine, Dougherty cast the a dissenting vote on the rule change, which she called “the most dramatic policy shift in the history of the (NMB).”

FULL story at link.

[Drunken Irishman]

1. Oh the horror!

[pleah]

2. K&R

http://www.asherheimermann.org

[patrice]

3. Pardon my ignorance: Is it possible for such rules changes to negate the necessity of EFCA?

Would some congress-critters use this sort of thing as political cover to vote against EFCA?

[Omaha Steve]

6. We still need EFCA

This ruling only effects airlines and railroads.

[tavalon]

4. Well, well, well

I'm cautiously pleased. I've watched Obama ignore his constituents on a far too common basis so I've really lowered my expectations for this administration. This looks really, really good. I'm a little gun shy.

[Earth Bound Misfit]

5. K & R!