Six developments regarding anti-union “persuaders” were documented by LaborLab this week, which can be found below. Anti-union persuaders are consultants and lawyers hired to thwart union organizing efforts. Persuader tactics include disseminating false and misleading information about unions and their potential impact on worker benefits. They also employ intimidation tactics such as mandatory captive audience meetings where anti-union messages are delivered. Furthermore, persuaders may engage in surveillance, monitoring union activity and targeting pro-union employees, while also following workers, conducting one-on-one meetings, and collecting personal employee information that can be leveraged against organizing workers.
Totowa, NJ
Empire Auto Parts hired Quest Consulting for $300 – $400 an hour per consultant. It appears that Quest Consulting had at least seven anti-union “persuaders” on site. Unfortunately, Empire Auto Parts union-busting was successful in defeating the union campaign. Empire Auto Parts is involved in automotive aftermarket collision parts and operates across the east coast.
Bad Axe, MI
Vestas American Technology has hired LRI Consulting for $425 an hour. The union election is currently open. Vestas American Technology is a wind turbine manufacturer with multiple projects and contracts around the United States.
Wenatchee, WA
Confluence Health for Wenatchee Regional Eye Center has hired LRI Consulting for $425 an hour. The union election is currently open.
Burlington, KS
Evergy has also hired LRI Consulting for $425 an hour. Evergy is an investor-owned utility with publicly traded stock headquartered in Topeka, Kansas, and in Kansas City, Missouri. It’s notable that LRI Consulting was brought in even though no petition has been filed for a union election. Pre-emptive attacks on organizing workers is becoming more and more common within the persuader industry.
Wellington, KS
McAlister Oil hired GRCA, but the persuader firm failed to disclose the details of their contract, including compensation. Perhaps because of GRCA’s lack of disclosure, the firm was able to help McAlister Oil defeat the union drive.
Hammond, IN
Meats by Linz, a meat distributor, hired CACR Labor Education Services, but just like GRCA, CACR Labor Education Services also failed to fulfil their rate of compensation. Workers, organizing with the Teamsters, appear to have won their election despite Meats by Linz hiring CACR Labor Education Services.Last week, LaborLab’s Union-Buster Tracker was also updated.
LaborLab’s Union-Buster Tracker has been updated to reflect these developments.
If you are aware of any employer or labor relations consultant that is involved in persuader activity, contact LaborLab at [email protected]
