HR/Employment Blogosphere update for June 1, 2005
In honor of (and as a result of) the Memorial Day holiday, this feature is a few days late. But who besides me is counting?
Susan Heathfield of About.com HR provides several detailed articles on employee compensation, all under the heading: “Develop a Pay Structure That Reflects Your Company Values.”
Regina Miller at HR’s Brand New Experience links to an article with a fascinating photo that shows the design of a BMW plant that integrates blue and white collar workers into the space in a fascinating way.
What is the symbolic significance of putting the white collars in open space directly below the moving assembly line? That their staff functions all exist simply to support the top-level line function — auto manufacturing?
HR Lori directs us to a USA Today article on possible DOL FMLA reg. changes.
Renegade union leader Andy Stern at his banner blog “Unite to Win” asks: “What is “Winning” for AFL-CIO Officers?” He bitterly criticizes Sweeney and AFL-CIO. Post and comments reflect continuing nasty infighting over future of “labor movement.” See also Stern’s post “Choosing to Win”
Aside from the interesting and vital substance of the debate, this blog is a great example of the blogging medium used as a discussion forum, with hundreds of bottom-up comments appended to Stern’s top-down leadership posts (Stern is President of UNITE, a major amalgamated union).
On the subject of Labor’s bellyaching and internal squabbling, see also Unions-Firms-Markets: Labor Movement Debate Round-Up
Labor Law Blog provides a thoroughly researched summary of NLRB decisions in which Bush NLRB nominee Dennis Walsh participated during his previous tenure at the Board (from December 2000 to December 2001 and again from December 2002 to December 2004).
Walsh is characterized as: “a mainstream Democrat who consistently adopts pro-union interpretations of the Act when choosing between competing, reasonable alternative interpretations. . . . [but who also] will apply precedent even when he disagrees with it.”
Ross Runkel’s Arbitration Blog touches on the issue of NLRB deferral to an arbitration award under a collective bargaining agreement, giving good advice to arbitrators.
Many issues in the union setting can be viewed as both contract violations and unfair labor practices. The case Ross discusses deals with how and when the NLRB avoids hearing the same factual dispute an arbitrator already decided, if these facts also form the basis for an unfair labor practice charge.
My parallel advice to unionized employers: when contemplating action that may result in a grievance or attempting to resolve a grievance prior to arbitration, think about the facts both as a contract violation issue and as a possible ulp charge.
More of interest from Unions-Firms-Markets:
“UFCW Takes New Approach Against Wal-Mart”
“Southern California Grocery Battle Continues” (antitrust litigation fallout from last year’s strike and employers’ revenue sharing agreement).
Also from Unions-Firms-Markets:
“The Price of Labor and Global Competition” Linking to slightly-over-my-head economic argument that seems to have some plausibility, blaming government deficit spending, rather than labor’s demands, for loss of American jobs (not that it’s necessarily an either- or — amazing how often very smart people get caught up in either- or thinking).
“Long Term Joblessness” Graphs tell the story of last 4 business cycles. Why such sluggish improvement in this measure during last two recoveries? My guess? American corporations fell in love with (got addicted to?) downsizing and RIF’s. People are no longer laid off, to be recalled when business improves — as it tends to do. No, their jobs are eliminated. Is it any wonder more are unemployed long-term?
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