President Obama recently signed his fourth labor-friendly executive order, this time allowing the federal government to require project labor agreements (PLAs) on large-scale federal construction projects. This order overturns a prior order from President Bush disallowing PLAs. Click here to read the text of the order. This latest action follows Obama’s three executive orders
Carpenters Union to Pay Oregon Employer $450,000 to Settle Picketing Dispute
The Pacific Northwest Regional Council of the Carpenters and Joiners of America recently agreed to pay Hoffman Construction Co. $450,000 and to settle a lawsuit over alleged unlawful picketing during a 2007 strike in Oregon. The Carpenters have also agreed to pay an additional $200,000 into an escrow account until the union has trained its members
Feisty, Spry and Grandmotherly: Ageist Terms to Avoid?
What do terms like "feisty," "spry," "elderly" and "grandmotherly" have in common? Yes, they are commonly used to refer to older people; but they can be used to express derogatory stereotypes about someone because of age.
An article in today’s New York Times, "Goodbye Spry Codgers, So Long Feisty Crones," reports that two groups
Hilda Solis Nomination for Labor Secretary in Trouble
We recently reported that President Obama nominated California Representative Hilda Solis as our next Secretary of Labor. It now appears her nomination is in serious trouble. The Senate delayed confirmation hearings after finding out that Solis’ husband owed some back taxes on his auto repair business. Whoops.
Conservatives opposed to Solis’ nomination – and her
BOLI Seeking Comments on Changes to Family Leave Regulations
The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) will hold three public forums on possible regulatory changes to the Oregon Family Leave Act (OFLA) to better align it with the recently revised federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). BOLI is also seeking public comments through its regular comment process. After receiving and reviewing the
President Obama Nominates Wilma Liebman to Chair NLRB
Late last month, President Obama appointed Wilma B. Liebman to chair the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the agency that enforces federal labor law. Click here to read the NLRB’s press release on the appointment. Chairman Liebman has served on the Board since November 14, 1997. First appointed by President Clinton, she is now serving
President Obama Signs Three Executive Orders Affecting Federal Contractors
On January 30, 2009 President Obama signed three executive orders affecting federal contractors and their employees. Two of the three orders affect union rights. (Click the title of each order to download it).
- Economy in Government Contracting. Denies federal contractors reimbursement for funds spent on activities designed to persuade employees to join or to not join a union, such
E-Verify Delayed (Again) Until May 21
Another delay for implementation of the mandatory E-Verify system: The Department of Homeland Security’s Citizenship and Immigration Services announced today that it will delay mandatory use of E-Verify until May 21, 2009. Click here to read DHS’s press release. Why the delay? The Obama Administration wants additional time to review this and other
President Obama to Sign Ledbetter Fair Pay Act on January 29, 2009
As expected, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act passed Congress (the House passed the Senate version 250-177 on January 27). President Obama has announced he will sign the bill into law–the very first bill he will sign–on January 29. The Act will overturn a U.S. Supreme Court decision that limited the time frame for bringing pay
New Form I-9 Available For Download
Finally – the new Form I-9 is here! Click here to download the new Form I-9. Note: the new form is for use only on or after April 3, 2009; until then, keep using the current Form I-9.
What’s the Form I-9 you ask, and what’s all the fuss? All U.S. employers are