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Webinar Recorded Live on April 30, 2015
A CHA members-only program
Overview
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has been altering the workplace landscape for the last several years. Two recent and important NLRB changes will significantly impact employers — union and non-union alike.
In late 2014, the NLRB issued a Final Rule that substantially shortens the period before elections from approximately 42 days to as little as 10 days. This significantly limits the window of time employers have to review and address petition issues and communicate with employees. Also in late 2014, the NLRB issued a controversial decision that held if employees are permitted access to email for work-related reasons, this generally must be extended to allow email communication with coworkers about wages, hours and work conditions. Both of these actions have serious implications for employers.
Find out about these key changes and other NLRB developments by viewing this important CHA webinar. CHA staff also provide an update on health care labor relations in California.
Agenda
Impact of NLRB expedited elections Final Rule
- Overview of the Final Rule, challenges to validity
- Increased authority of Regional Directors
- Limitations on litigation, challenges to pre-election rulings
- Realities of the shortened election timeframe
- Statements of Position (SOP) — what to include, when to file, pitfalls to avoid
- Unions’ increased access to voting unit employees
- Post-election rules
Implications of NLRB decision and employee access to work email
- Purple Communications case overview
- Status of case and what to expect going forward
NLRB general counsel memo on workplace policies
- General counsel guidance on confidentiality, communication, conflict of interest policies and more
- Impact on union and non-union private employers
- Consequences for non-compliance and how to avoid them
State labor relations update
- Status of the CHA/UHW agreement, Medi-Cal Reform
Faculty
F. Curt Kirschner Jr. is a partner at Jones Day and is based in the San Francisco offices. Mr. Kirschner focuses his practice on resolution of complex labor and employment disputes, with a concentration on addressing employers’ rights and obligations relating to disputes in the health care field. He has extensive experience in the defense of “corporate campaigns” brought against employers by labor unions, including the pursuit of litigation against unlawful union activities arising from corporate campaigns. Mr. Kirshner has negotiated scores of collective bargaining agreements, handled numerous proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board and similar state agencies, advocated on behalf of employers in grievance and interest arbitrations, and provided advice and litigation representation during labor disputes.
Gail Blanchard-Saiger is vice president of Labor and Employment for the California Hospital Association. In this role, she provides leadership for state and federal legislative and regulatory issues related to hospital human resources and labor relations. Ms. Blanchard-Saiger has over 15 years experience as a labor and employment law attorney representing hospitals and health care systems. She is a member of the American Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration and serves on its Advocacy Committee. She is a frequent speaker and author on health care workplace law issues.
