Posts tagged federal labor law
Discovery Cove accused of refusing to recognize divers’ union, violating federal labor law
February 19, 2026 // Converso, one of the Discovery Cove divers, said he himself was recently suspended by his employer for alleged “time theft,” although he believes it could have been a retaliatory act, as one of the union leaders. He admitted he’s not someone who’s afraid to speak up about concerns on the job.
NTEU, White House spar over whether unions can challenge their ouster administratively
January 25, 2026 // The Trump administration contends unions can seek review of their ouster from most federal agencies on national security grounds before the Federal Labor Relations Authority, but labor groups say that analysis misconstrues a term of art in federal labor law.
US Senate confirms Trump nominees for labor board paralyzed after member’s firing
December 19, 2025 // Trump's appointees to the board are expected to undo a series of decisions issued by Wilcox and other appointees of Democratic former President Joe Biden that have been criticized by business groups and Republican lawmakers. Under a decades-old policy, the board typically does not overturn its existing precedent unless three members vote to do so. Trump has not yet named a nominee that would give the board a third Republican member, but Mayer and Murphy in the meantime could issue decisions narrowing the reach of Biden-era decisions. That includes a 2023 ruling that allows unions to represent workers in some instances even after losing an election, a ban on the common employer practice of holding mandatory meetings to discourage unionizing and an expansion of monetary remedies available to workers who are fired for supporting unions or other protected conduct.
US judges leery of NLRB ruling that ex-Starbucks CEO illegally threatened union supporter
December 4, 2025 // “It does seem to me that this is sort of a gotcha by the board,” said Southwick, an appointee of Republican former President George W. Bush. “The board is looking very narrowly on what the context here was.”
Viking Corporation Employee Slams Steelworkers Union With Federal Charges for “Closed Shop” Firing Threats
December 4, 2025 // When Dickinson emailed a Viking HR representative for clarification on her obligations, the HR rep claimed that “Per the new Michigan [Right to Work repeal] law and the Contract…those employees who do not sign the check-off authorization card, will not be allowed to work at Viking.” Dickinson’s charges include a charge against Viking management for repeating the misrepresentations of union officials. Dickinson’s charges also maintain that Steelworkers union bosses “violated the NLRA because [they] demanded that Charging Party, and all similarly situated nonmember discriminatees, opt-out of paying for political and ideological activities, instead of opting-in to make such political and ideological payments.” Supreme Court precedent, including the Foundation-won Knox v. SEIU case, establish the principle that union officials cannot assume that workers have waived their right to abstain from funding union politics.
Court rejects New York bid to take over federal labor enforcement
December 2, 2025 // Unions have been pushing labor-friendly states to pass laws allowing state officials to take over workplace enforcement matters when the NLRB cannot respond in a timely manner. New York and California have been leading in this effort, passing laws to that effect in September. The laws give unions a potentially major legal advantage over businesses in workplace disputes, including contested union elections. The laws would only come into play if the NLRB itself is inactive, but that’s been an increasingly common phenomenon in recent years. The NLRB’s five-member board is currently down to just one member due to a combination of members’ terms expiring, some firings by the Trump administration, and slow Senate confirmations.
Cook Board president, officials back efforts to unionize at Chicago Botanic Garden
November 20, 2025 // But Garden officials said in a statement following Preckwinkle’s press conference that they will not agree to card-check neutrality and instead want to engage in a more formal process. “Federal labor law establishes a process for employees to exercise their rights in this regard by making their choice for or against representation in a secret ballot election administered and supervised by the National Labor Relations Board,” the statement said. “Were the Garden to recognize a labor union based solely on ‘card check neutrality,’ — i.e., without giving our employees a chance to be informed and have the ability to hold a secret ballot election on the issue — we would, in our view, be depriving our workers of their rights on this important issue.”
U.S. Senators Unveil Bills to Strengthen Workers’ Rights
November 12, 2025 // F. Vincent Vernuccio, President, Institute for the American Worker. “Together, these bills reflect a modern approach to labor relations — one that trusts workers, promotes transparency, and ensures the law is applied fairly. The committee, led by Chairman Bill Cassidy (R-LA), deserves credit for advancing a balanced package that empowers American workers and strengthens freedom in the workplace.”
Workers need the new Employee Rights Act
November 10, 2025 // The Employee Rights Act is fully aligned with Mr. Trump’s pro-worker vision. It builds on the working-class tax cuts and affordable health care reforms he has already signed. The best way to continue that progress is by fully protecting workers’ right to climb the ladder of opportunity because when they do, the rest of America rises too.
A Republican-Led NLRB May Soon Revisit Expanded Remedies and Other Labor Precedents
October 30, 2025 // The HELP Committee’s approvals signal a likely realignment in the months ahead but not an immediate one, as it remains unknown as to when or whether the NLRB will have a quorum. A new NLRB majority may act quickly once seated to revisit recent precedents—not only Thryv, but also rules governing joint-employer status, independent-contractor classifications and union election procedures. The coming months will be a period of heightened uncertainty for employers navigating ongoing unfair labor practice matters.