The Employee Free Choice Act….What every healthcareemployer needs to know.

Presented by:

UNION CERTIFICATION• NLRB supervised secret ballot election the norm• Card check recognition optional

CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS• Employer/Union direct good faith bargaining• No mandatory mediation or arbitration

EMPLOYER PENALTIES• NLRB supervised notice posting for most violations• Reinstatement and back pay• An order to bargain in good faith• Injunction in some instances2

Preferred Method….

a. Union obtains signatures from at least 30% of unit employees authorizing union representation.

b. Union files request for election (“petition”) with NLRB

c. Usually, within 42 days secret ballot election held

d. Majority of votes cast wins

e. Union certified, duty to bargain commences

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SAMPLE

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Alternative – “Card Check” Method….

a. Union obtains signatures from a majority of unit employees

b. Employer voluntarily agrees to accept cards as proof of representation

c. No secret ballot election held

d. Duty to bargain applies

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New Rules...

a. Union obtains signatures from majority of unit employees.

b. Union files request for certification (“petition”) with NLRB

c. NLRB will NOT direct election; certification issued

d. Union certified, duty to bargain commences

Note: if union does not have a card majority, but more than 30%, an election is held

a. Union and employer bound to make good faith effort to reach agreement.

b. No requirement that either side agree to terms it does not want.

c. No time limit.

d. Leverage includes potential of strikes/lockouts.

e. Any agreement reached is ratified by union member vote.

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Collective Bargaining - TodayCollective Bargaining - Today

For the purposes of this section, to bargain collectively is the performance of the mutual obligation of the employer and the representative of the employees to meet at reasonable times and confer in good faith with respect to wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment or the negotiation of an agreement, or any question arising thereunder, and the execution of a written contract incorporating any agreement reached if requested by either party, but such obligation does not compel either party to agree to a proposal or require the making of a concession

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a. 10 days to start bargaining

b. 90 days to negotiate a first contract.

c. If no agreement – 30 days FMCS mediation.

d. If no agreement, binding interest arbitration.

e. Two year contract imposed.

f. No union member ratification vote.

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Remedies…

Goal: restore status quo

• Reinstatement and/or backpay

• Cease & desist order

• Post notice

• Bargaining order

• Injunctive relief

No fines or other “damages” available

Remedial Provisions - TodayRemedial Provisions - Today

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Remedies…

Introduce punitive remedies

• Reinstatement and/or treble backpay

• Civil penalty of up to $20,000 per incident

• Mandate NLRB to seek pre-trial injunction

• Cease & desist order

• Post notice

• Bargaining order

Remedial Provisions under EFCARemedial Provisions under EFCA

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Employees lose secret ballot vote, and lose the guarantee that they can make their choice free from pressure or intimidation. Note: election could occur if union has no majority

Employers lose the time to share factual information with employees. Certification may be assured before employer is aware of organizing

Employees lose access to information from non-union sources; lose opportunity to consider complete information before making decision whether to unionize

Employees may lose the chance to be heard (employees who are not approached to sign cards left out of decision-making)

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Expect unreasonable/excessive contract demands by union

No risk of strike means no reason for union to temporize demands

Concern about government-appointed arbitrator imposing contract terms without adequate regard to patient care, regulatory standards, costs, or profitability

Possible arbitrator imposition of underfunded multi-employer benefit plans

No employee ratification vote

No employee chance to decertify until two-year contract expires

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Severely limits time available (if any time at all) to develop and roll out an educational program for employees

Severity of remedies likely to have (by design) a chilling effect on employer communications with employees

Triple backpay likely to discourage disciplinary enforcement of work rules

Employers wishing to remain non-union will need to continually maintain a pro-active employee agenda

o 2007: passed House, majority support in Senate – stopped by filibuster

o 2009: greater number of Democrats in House & Senate

o Senate: now 58 (or 59) Democrats* and, with several additional supporters – enough to defeat filibuster?

o President Obama has been outspoken supporter

o EFCA vote appears likely in spring

* As of 3/13/09 one seat still contested; two independents caucus with Democrats & pledge EFCA support; claimed additional support from a few Republicans

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o 2007: passed House, majority support in Senate – stopped by filibuster

o 2009: greater number of Democrats in House & Senate

o Senate: now 58 (or 59) Democrats* and, with several additional supporters – enough to defeat filibuster?

o President Obama has been outspoken supporter

o EFCA vote appears likely in spring

* As of 3/13/09 one seat still contested; two independents caucus with Democrats & pledge EFCA support; claimed additional support from a few Republicans

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News! EFCA introduced in

House & Senate 3/10/09!

Will modification be needed to avoid a filibuster?Some alternatives…

•Retain elections, but hold votes quickly (30 days? Less; 21? 14? 5?)

•Card check by super-majority (⅔ or ¾)?

•Defer unit litigation until after election; speed up appeals process?

•Interest arbitration: only in refusal to bargain cases?

•Must have interest arbitration guidelines

•Remedies: only for “intentional” violations?

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Identify the bargaining unit • Which jobs are likely to be included?• Consider strategic modifications to job responsibilities

Identify supervisors – CRITICAL

• Supervisors are ineligible for unionization• Employer’s most effective spokespersons• Employer is liable for supervisors’ actions

Supervisory status defined by § 2(11)

• Determination of status is vital• Strategic modification of duties?

Management Training

• Supervisors, managers, administrators• Understand rights & responsibilities• Effective communications

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Assess HR policies & practices• Discipline/Discharge policies• Solicitation/Distribution rules• Problem solving system• Internal communications• Performance appraisal procedures

Prepare rapid response system

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COMMUNICATE with all employees

• The legal significance of union cards

• The employer’s philosophy regarding unions

• EFCA – and what it means for employees

• Facts: costs, rules, and risks, etc. of unionization

More information: http://efca.jacksonlewis.com/

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COMMUNICATION

Typical First Communication

• EFCA will make it very easy for a union to organize.• Your signature on a card or paper could be all it takes.• There would probably never be an election.

• Don’t sign anything unless you have all the details to enable you to make an informed decision.

• If you have questions, feel free to ask us.

Confer with counsel to ensure communications are lawful and effective.

Questions?

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The Employee Free Choice Act….What every healthcareemployer needs to know.