Persuader Watch: LaborLab Documents 7 New Union-Busting Campaigns

This week LaborLab documented seven new employers hiring anti-union “persuaders” and investing heavily in union-busting campaigns. 

1. MGM Resorts International (MD) hired union-busters from Government Resources Consultants of America. The union election is still open.
2. The Cleveland Museum of Natural History (OH) has also hired Government Resources Consultants of America. That union election is also open. 
3. Leslie Heating, Cooling & Electric (IL) has hired LRI Consulting Services for $425/hour and the union election is open. 
4. Sysco Western Minnesota (MN) has hired union-busting consultants from Action Resources for $3,950/day
5. Beacon Sales Acquisition (IN) hired Frontline Business Resources for $212.50/hour. Unfortunately, the union-busting campaign was successful in silencing workers and the union election was lost.
6. J.B. Hunt Transport Services (IL) hired union-busters from Omar Cuadra for $150 hour and LKLS Consulting for $225/hour. 
7. Himco Waste-away Services (IN) has hired Davis Grimm Payne & Marra for $400/hour to conduct a union decertification effort.

Anti-union “persuaders” can have an outsized impact on whether or not workers win the right to collectively bargain. “Persuaders,” as they are referred to by the U.S. Department of Labor, utilize a range of tactics to thwart union organizing efforts. These 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.

LaborLab’s Union-Buster Tracker was also updated.