The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) regulates union and management rights in the workplace. Currently under the Obama Administration, the board has two Democrats, one Republican and two vacancies. Recent pro-union cases and proposed rules by the NLRB pose some challenges ahead for employers.

New Proposed Union Election Rules

In June 2011, the NLRB proposed new rules governing procedures in union representation cases, making it easier for workers to unionize. Although the NLRB contends that the rules “would remove unnecessary barriers to the fair and expeditious resolution of questions concerning representation,” the proposed rules would significantly shorten union elections, thus limiting an employer’s ability to communicate with its employees.