Unions: Force Employers to Bargain
When the going gets tough, the unions file lawsuits. Yesterday, seven unions including the UAW asked the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to order employers to bargain with them, even if they don't represent the majority of employees. The union claims the National Labor Relations Act requires this. Daniel Halem, a lawyer who represents many employers, disagrees. He told the New York Times that "Unions must have the support of a majority of employees. This concept is totally at odds with [the petition]." The unions know they won't have much of a chance of getting the Bush-appointed NLRB to side with them. However, they're banking "that there will be a Democratic president someday who will appoint a board that will look favorably upon their argument." Hope springs eternal, or are they setting themselves up for a fall?
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That's mighty thin ice to skate on. 2009 may be too late to save the UAW's bacon, and while the Democratic president will be more sympathetic to unions (who wouldn't be?), he/she won't be subservient to them.
What does the UAW want to bargain over? They have already priced themselves out of their jobs.