Workers at Mahoney Environmental Solutions in Illinois have successfully unionized with Teamsters Local 710, despite a well-financed anti-union campaign waged by the company. Employees voted 20-12 in favor of union representation.
To thwart unionization efforts, Mahoney Environmental Solutions resorted to hiring outside “labor relations consultants” to intimidate workers and discourage union support. Labor Management Consultants, a firm with a history of anti-union activity, was brought in to conduct captive audience meetings designed to pressure employees into voting against the union.
These tactics mirror a similar campaign conducted by Labor Management Consultants for Carroll Electric Cooperative, Inc., where workers also ultimately voted to unionize.
LaborLab, a labor advocacy group, filed a complaint against Labor Management Consultants this week for violations of the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA). The complaint alleges that the firm’s employee, William Wheeler, has failed to disclose information pertaining to union-busting efforts, as required by law. Wheeler has worked on at least two union-busting campaigns in 2024, but has failed to disclose those activities to the U.S. Department of Labor. A report from LaborLab found that that less than 20% of “labor relations consultants” comply with disclosure laws. This finding underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of labor laws to protect workers’ rights.
This union election highlights the ongoing challenges faced by workers organizing for better wages, benefits, and working conditions. Despite aggressive union-busting tactics, employees at Mahoney Environmental Solutions have demonstrated their determination to secure a stronger voice in the workplace.
