Miscellaneous

Why do employers oppose unions?

Why do employers oppose unions?

Unions represent the interests of workers and can help push for better pay and benefits. Businesses often oppose unions because they can interfere with their autonomy or affect them economically.

Why is it unlawful for an employer to interfere with a union?

An employer who interferes in the formation or control of a union may be attempting to gain an advantage in bargaining or to discourage support of an actual union that is trying to organize the employees (NLRB 1997, 14). Section 8 (a) (3) prohibits an employer from discriminating against any worker because of union activity.

How to deal with unions in the workplace?

Employers can also let employees know what their experiences with unions have been. For example, they can tell employees when a local company was unionized, wages went down, not up. Feel as if you’re all alone in HR? Take on a partner—Managing an HR Department of One. Examine it at no cost or risk for 30 days. Get more information.

Can a employer ask an employee about a union?

Employers cannot Interrogate employees about their union activities. This means that employers cannot ask employees any questions about their union activity, such as “Did you get an authorization card?” Or, “Why are you interested in that union?” P—Employers cannot Promise benefits to employees if they vote against the union.

Can a employer take disciplinary action against a union rep?

It will be for the employer to persuade a tribunal that the reason for action was the misconduct rather than because the official was carrying out legitimate duties. This will be an issue for the employer to weigh in the balance in each case.

Can a company threaten an employee for supporting a union?

Many experts in union organizing believe that this is a mistake. Under the NLRA and related case law there are only a few things employers cannot do in terms of communicating about unions with their employees. They can be summed up in the acronym TIPS. T—Employers cannot Threaten employees with adverse action if they support a union.

What should an employer do if a union comes in?

Don’t threaten workers with what you will do or what will happen if a union comes in. Do not say, for example: Don’t tell union sympathizers that they will suffer in any way for their support. Don’t terminate or discipline workers for engaging in union activities.

What are the allegations about trade union collusion?

Files from the blacklist show that trade union officials described individual workers as “militant”, a “troublemaker”, or with a warning to be “careful”. Evidence of the apparent collusion between trade union officials and managers has led a group of 41 blacklisted workers to call on Unite to commission an independent inquiry into the claims.

Why are union-employer relationships replete with tension?

It is a common misapprehension that the damage unions do to employers is in the areas of wages and benefits. It is far more from the non-monetary aspects of a collective agreement that make the workplace less productive or flexible. The view of this union, through its lawyer, is dramatically different.