- NLRB Delivers Union Representation Final Rule
- Walmart Reportedly Initiating Return-to-Office Strategy
- Canada Moves to Limit Low-Wage Foreign Worker Program
- Irish Government to Extend Parental Leave Benefit Allowance
NLRB Delivers Union Representation Final Rule
On July 26, the National Labor Relations Board issued its Fair Choice–Employee Voice Final Rule, restoring three key policies that provide U.S. workers with a “fair opportunity” to decide whether they want union representation in the workplace and a process that respects workers’ choices. These policies include the blocking charge, voluntary recognition of a union and construction industry bargaining relationships.
According to the NLRB statement, the final rule returns to the Board’s pre-2020 practice on blocking charges before an election, restoring a regional director’s authority to delay an election if unfair labor practice conduct is sufficiently serious to interfere with employee free choice. The new rule reverses the Board’s 2020 rule requiring regional directors to run elections in an election environment tainted by unfair labor practices.
The rule also supports workers’ and employers’ ability to establish a bargaining relationship through voluntary recognition. It removes the 2020 rule’s requirement that when an employer chooses to voluntarily recognize a union that represents a majority of its workers, the parties provide for a mandatory 45-day period to allow the opportunity for a minority of workers to demand an election questioning that choice.
In addition, the rule grants parity between unions in the construction industry and other unions. Because of the transitory nature of construction work, unions in that industry that are recognized under Section 8(f) of the National Labor Relations Act have not had the same protections as non-construction unions.
The new rule’s effective date is Sept. 30, and will only be applied to cases filed after it.
Walmart Reportedly Initiating Return-to-Office Strategy
According to a Bloomberg report, thousands of Walmart employees from smaller offices and remote workers around the U.S. have been asked to relocate to the retailer’s corporate hubs, a move by the company to draw more people back to offices.
Affected employees are being asked to work at corporate locations in Arkansas, New Jersey and California.
The news article stated Walmart hasn’t disclosed the total number of affected employees, but some were required to notify the company by July 1 if they would accept relocation. In addition, they reportedly have until Oct. 31 to make the physical move if they accepted. Some employees were offered cost-of-living adjustments depending on geographic considerations.
Bloomberg also stated the company is offering relocation packages and helping workers dealing with unexpected issues that may impact the move. A small percentage of Walmart employees in satellite hubs were offered exemptions and can stay where they are. The efforts are ongoing, and most of those opting not to relocate are reportedly leaving the company between August and January.
Canada Moves to Limit Low-Wage Foreign Worker Program
As reported by Bloomberg, Canada is taking initial steps to limit businesses’ use of a program that allows them to bring in temporary foreign workers after it exploded in size.
In 2022, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government significantly expanded the ability of companies to hire such workers in response to complaints from businesses about labor shortages. It doubled the proportion of staff that most firms were allowed to hire under the program to 20%; a 30% limit still applies in construction and healthcare. But the government has faced criticism for letting the program grow too quickly.
The country’s employment and immigration ministers began tightening the foreign-worker program earlier this year, with the immigration head also pledging an overall limit on the number of temporary residents, including students.
The government is not shrinking the 20% hiring cap, however — instead, it will enforce “consistent application.” The minister also said he’s considering raising the C$1,000 ($725) fee that employers pay when applying for a foreign worker and limiting eligibility.
Irish Government to Extend Parental Leave Benefit Allowance
The Irish government announced it will extend its parental leave benefit allowance from seven weeks to nine weeks as of this month.
The extension is part of The Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019 (Extension of Periods of Leave) Order 2024 and aims to improve work-life balance and gender equality for families and the overall workforce.
The legislation increases parental leave for children born or adopted after Aug. 1. The extra two weeks can also be taken by parents of children under 2 or placed in adoption for less than two years.
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