A number of important developments regarding employers hiring anti-union “persuaders” were recently documented by LaborLab, which can be found below. Anti-union persuaders are consultants and lawyers hired to thwart union organizing efforts and deter workers from exercising their right to collectively bargain. Collective bargaining empowers workers to negotiate collectively for fair wages, benefits, and safe working conditions, leading to improved workplaces and stronger communities.
(1) Last month, Volkswagen (VA) hired anti-union persuaders from RoadWarrior Productions for $3,800/da. Unfortunately, the election was lost 62-81. To make matters worse, RoadWarrior Productions’ filed their disclosure after the election.
(2) Similarly, Sutter Amador Hospital (CA) hired Healthcare Labor Solutions and the disclosure was filed after the election and the election was lost 61-100.
(3) In both the cases of Volkswagen and Sutter Amador Hospital, workers were denied critically important information until after the election took place. Another example of this lack of transparency comes from Dajcor Aluminum, Inc. (KY). Dajcor Aluminum, Inc. hired National Labor Relations Advocates for $3,000/day onsite and $375/hour offsite. The disclosure was not submitted to the US Department of Labor until after the election, which was lost. and the election was lost
(4) GE Renewable Energy (NY) hired union-buster Jose Agraz for $187/hour.
(5) Flowers Baking Company of Oxford (PA) hired Logic Labor Relations for $375/hour
(6) In good news, Sherwin Williams (OH) hired Labor Information Services for $400/day. However, workers defeated the union-busting campaign won 40-32.
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.
Last week, LaborLab’s Union-Buster Tracker was also updated.
Over the weekend, The Labor Valley Report (TLVR) did a segment highlighting these recent examples of bosses hiring “labor relations consultants” to “persuade” workers against collectively bargaining for stronger workplaces and communities.
