Four notable developments regarding anti-union “persuaders” were documented by LaborLab last 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.
Frackville, PA
Gilberton Power Company/Schuylkill Energy Resources hired East Coast Labor Relations (d/b/a/ Reliant Labor Consultants) to union-bust at multiple locations. East Coast Labor Relations is being paid $3,800 per day. A copy of the contract between Gilberton Power Company/Schuylkill Energy Resources and the anti-union persuaders can be viewed here. In the contract, the persuaders state that they will attempt to prevent a union election from being filed and, in the case workers do file for an election, the persuaders will work to defeat the effort “by as wide a margin as possible” or “achieve a withdrawal of the petition.”
Franklin, MA
Imperial Dade hired Labor Management Associates for $225 an hour. The election was closed due to an “RD Order.”
St. Albans, VT
Persuader firm Heightened Solutions was hired by Northwestern Medical Center. Heightened Solutions was sub-contracted by The Vindex Group, which has not yet filed the legally required disclosures. Workers won the election 150 to 45 and are now members of Northwestern Healthcare United.
Windsor, CT
Amazon DCY1 (an Amazon fulfillment center) hired Edward Hinkle to persuade workers organizing with the Teamsters. Hinkle was sub-contracted by RoadWarrior Productions, another union-busting firm which has not filed legally required disclosures.
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.
Last week, LaborLab’s Union-Buster Tracker was also updated.
