I think by now regular readers of this column know I embrace my inner geek. I read decisions when they are issued in areas where I am trying to identify trends, anticipate future events, and give clients and friends some insight they may not get from others. And you know that I have been keeping
union election
U.S. Government Agencies’ Fast Track Changes to Legal Standards (Part 1)
With the Trump Administration now in its 27th month (half-way through the first term), Federal agencies seem to be picking up the pace of fundamentally altering the legal landscape in which manufacturers operate. Keeping up with these changes can be a full time job.
In this blog post, I will highlight some of the…
Thought The Government was Closed? The Manufacturers’ Smorgasbord!
This week’s post is somewhat breathless because so much happened or is about to happen. You may have thought the government has been closed for the past 35 days. But just like great magicians who get you to watch their right hand while their left hand is going about the business of the trick, the…
N.L.R.B. “Joint” Disarray – Why That Matters to Manufacturers
Winston Churchill allegedly once said, “lovers of sausage and public policy should not watch either be made.” Recent events at the National Labor Relations Board call that apt quote to mind.
In its zeal to overturn Obama-era precedent, the Trump N.L.R.B. seems to have stepped right into it – creating confusion and uncertainty for manufacturers…
2018 Employment Law Predictions for Manufacturers
As has been our tradition, January is the time to predict the big developments in the coming year that will impact manufacturers. In January 2017, notwithstanding my “Lawyer’s Shrug,” I predicted Congress was unlikely to raise the minimum wage, but states and cities would attempt to do so; the National Labor Relations Board would turn…
The Trump N.L.R.B. Gift Giving Season
Acting just days before the term of Chairman Phillip Miscimarra ended on December 16, the National Labor Relations Board issued four decisions overturning landmark cases that expanded employee and labor union protections. In a single week, the NLRB returns to pre-Obama-Board standards and upends the apple cart. Each case was decided on a strict, party-line…
Manufacturing Law Predictions for 2017: Labor and Employment
As has been our tradition, January is the time to predict the big developments in the coming year which will impact on manufacturers. Notwithstanding my “Lawyer’s Shrug,” here is my take on 2017.
Minimum Wages. Even though President Trump ran on a populist platform to raise wages for American Workers, I believe it unlikely…
The 2017 “Manufacturers’ Lawyer’s Shrug”
I am a really big fan of the NPR radio show, “Car Talk,” where two Boston auto mechanics took callers’ questions and tried to answer them. Since the November 8 election, I have freely adapted one of their signature phrases – I call it the “Manufacturers’ Lawyers’ Shrug.” Basically, when I attend any event and…
Election 2016: WOW, Just WOW
I had a blog piece almost done. It was going to give an overview of another NLRB case which threatened to overturn settled law and expand the rights of unions to organize. I was going to use it as another “Year of Change” post.
Then the votes got counted.
Wow.
After eight years of ever…
Employment Law Developments for Manufacturers: Predictably Unpredictable!
Manufacturers should take note of two recent developments in the human resources world. One expected. The other not.
Frequent readers of this blog may recall that in January I predicted the United States Department of Labor (“DOL”) would make good on its goal of updating the “Persuader Rule.”
By way of background, the Persuader Rule…