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Thompson Hine LLP, a full-service business law firm with approximately 400 lawyers in 8 offices, was ranked number 1 in the category “Most innovative North American law firms: New working models” by The Financial Times and was 1 of 7 firms shortlisted for The American Lawyer’s inaugural Legal Services Innovation Award. The firm has been recognized by the National Law Journal as a Legal Technology Trailblazer and featured by Bloomberg for its innovative service delivery models, which drive accuracy and predictability. The firm’s commitment to innovation is embodied in Thompson Hine SmartPaTHTM – a smarter way to work – predictable, efficient and aligned with client goals. For more information, please visit ThompsonHine.com and ThompsonHine.com/SmartPaTH.

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On August 25, the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) majority issued a historic decision in Cemex Construction Materials Pacific, LLC, 372 NLRB No. 130, on when an employer must recognize and bargain with a union. This decision is a modified version of the long ago abandoned 1949 Joy Silk doctrine, which required an employer to recognize and bargain with a union if there was evidence a majority of employees wanted the union to represent them, unless the employer had good faith doubt as to the union’s majority support.

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Under Cemex, unions may now demand recognition and bargaining by demonstrating majority support of employees in an appropriate bargaining unit. Majority support can be demonstrated without NLRB involvement, such as by presenting signed cards from employees in support of unionization, in which case an NLRB-conducted representation election is no longer necessary. After a union demands recognition and bargaining, the employer has two options: recognize and bargain with the union, or expeditiously file its own NLRB election petition (“RM” petition) requesting an election. If the employer files an RM petition, Cemex requires the election petition to be dismissed if the employer commits an unfair labor practice during the “critical period,” which is the period between the petition filing and the election. Only if the unfair labor practice is so minimal or isolated that it could not have affected the election results will the NLRB not dismiss the petition. If the petition is dismissed based on an employer’s unfair labor practice, the employer will be required to recognize and bargain with the union, with no possibility of a rerun election.

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The Cemex decision is a massive shift in the union organizing process and representation matters and makes it much easier for unions to organize. Under this new standard, and especially in light of the Teamsters’ recent widely publicized collective bargaining success with UPS, employers can expect a significant increase in union demands for recognition. Employers should consider promptly reassessing their current labor-management relations programs and should seriously contemplate providing training on recognizing and responding to union organizing campaigns.

This advisory bulletin may be reproduced, in whole or in part, with the prior permission of Thompson Hine LLP and acknowledgment of its source and copyright. This publication is intended to inform clients about legal matters of current interest. It is not intended as legal advice. Readers should not act upon the information contained in it without professional counsel.

This document may be considered attorney advertising in some jurisdictions.

https://admin.thompsonhine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Labor-Employment-Alert-NLRB-Issues-Historic-Decision-on-Employers-Duty-to-Recognize-and-Bargain-With-Union.pdf

NLRB Issues Historic Decision on Employer’s Duty to Recognize and Bargain With Union

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