1. Compensation in non-union jobs is outpacing compensation in union-represented jobs. A Bureau of Labor and Statistics report indicates the total wage and benefit costs for private-sector nonunionized employers was 3% higher than unionized employers for the 12-month period ending June 2022. Overall, total wage and benefit costs for private-industry firms increased 5.5%, but non-unionized companies accounted for most of the bump. In fact, pay for non-union workers rose 6%—the highest since the early 2000s—compared to 3.4% for union workers. The trend also goes beyond this 12-month period. Between the years 2018 and June 2022, non-union employee compensation has risen dramatically while union employee compensation has remained steady.
2. The average length of negotiations for a first collective bargaining agreement increased to 465 days. A Bloomberg Law report found the time it takes an employer to negotiate a first contract with a union has increased from an average of 409 days in 2019 to 465 days today. The COVID-19 pandemic may partially account for the prolonged timeframe, having created additional issues to address during bargaining, including personal protective equipment, mask and vaccination requirements, and other health and safety policies. Under National Labor Relations Board (the Board) law, unions have a “certification year” to negotiate a first collective bargaining agreement before employees can file a decertification petition to oust the union. The new...
A Texas-based excavation and utilities company must continue to defend against a False Claims Act lawsuit alleging fraud under a pandemic-assistance program, even though the company lost its corpo...