Union Busting: What Employers Can and Cannot Legally Do

Unions are having a resurgence in the US, and some companies are not happy about it. But what can they do? The lines between anti-union advocacy and illegal union busting can get blurry. High profile actions by companies like Amazon and Starbucks have drawn renewed scrutiny over the laws around unionizing workers. What are the rules around organizing in the private sector? In this video, featuring Bloomberg Law labor reporter Ian Kullgren, we look at what companies can and cannot do when their employees are considering unionizing. (Produced by Macarena Carrizosa; Senior Producer: Andrew Satter; Executive Producer: Josh Block)
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[@henrycollins2478]

When employees are attempting to unionize, can an employer hire people with the explicit purpose of preventing unionization by paying them to vote against it?

[@typingperson]

Great explainer!

[@MaxwellsDemon9]

hahaha the sinister boss was well cast

[@happykamperbudgets660]

Can I refuse to join a union? Can they fire me? State of Michigan I work at a hospital

[@skullandbones1832]

❤️

[@nicholasbrooks7349]

NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@bbsquared100]

Really? You "can say, I'm going to cut your health benefits if you join this union"". ?? I turned on the closed captions and yes, he said "can" instead of can't.

[@roelsvideosandstuffs1513]

Ok so what a Union can't do? Can it force and threatens employees to join (in a non right to work state)? Because then it is just bad as employers who like threaten their employees when they unionized?

[@antimatter_nvf]

Well harassment by anyone is still illegal and you could report it to your employer or law enforcement cervices if you'd like. But what would a Union threaten you with if you're not a part of it? It's not like your employer, who pays out your salary. If you pay dues to a worker's Union they'll use these funds to pressure the company into raising the salary and increasing benefits, BUT mostly for workers who are unionized. If you're not part of their club, then you'll just get the salary, which the company decides is appropriate for you. And you can argue with the management one on one I guess. I don't think a Union would pressure a company into giving non-unionized workers a lower salary, because the company is likely already doing that, based on personell demand and labour laws. That would likely ostracize people outside of the Union. Typically the whole department has to accept the Union anyway if a vote succeeds. At worst you might not always be invited to a Union party hah, it is a paid membership club after all lol.

[@buddyfett1341]

​​​@@antimatter_nvf unions threatens violence, encourages bullying from members to intimidate non members if you don't sign on. I got a job right when the law passed saying you don't have to join. During orientation, the union guys came in, handed out cards, told us to sign them. When I brought up, it wasn't mandatory, they got hostile. When several others tore their cards up and asked for overs that say declined to join, union members would harass. When management was told and took action. Union steward would defend the offenders, there by officially condoning that behavior. Unions are trash. After that experience, only got jobs, including my current one, that were non union. When some new idiot starts talking we should union. We all say no way in Hell. Competitive wage is best. I'm the only one who gets a raise from my knowledge and experience. Collective bargaining rewards incompetence. Once upon a time, unions were good. Now they're more corrupt and run worse than the companies they try to vilify.

[@144Jericho]

Union gang-stalkers/domestic terrorists

[@lordbucketheadiii3435]

Yeah man those guys are real terrorist for getting me $10 more an hour and a low deductible health plan for the same price as my high deductible crappy pl. they’re all terrorist right? 😂

[@antimatter_nvf]

Huh

[@144Jericho]

@@antimatter_nvf gang stalking is very common with union folks.

[@bobbiikk7891]

@@144Jericho Gang stalking? Domestic terrorists? You’re talking about police officers right? Public sector UNION employees who extort, murder, and violate the average American on a daily basis? Police officers are one of the biggest unionized jobs in this country. But when a private business with middle class workers that want to make a decent living it becomes a problem right? Kick rocks punk.

[@144Jericho]

@@bobbiikk7891 police officers as well, but I was referring to actual union tradesmen workers. It’s why I left the union.. I’ll go kick rocks now. Have a good one.