Made In America: ‘Ambush Rule’ Has Employers Concerned

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NLRB RULINGS STIR EMPLOYER ANGST
Two recent rulings from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has employers upset this holiday season. From Politico:

A Dec. 11 NLRB decision ruled that employers could no longer prevent organizers from using company email in off-hours to campaign on behalf of unionization. Labor groups touted this as a victory for organizing, while business groups deplored it as compromising companies’ free speech and property rights.

Also, a final rule issued Dec. 12 will speed up union elections that, according to labor groups, will deprive management of certain delay tactics it’s commonly used to keep unions out. Business groups have tagged it an “ambush election” regulation that will deny workers the opportunity to educate themselves properly before they vote on whether their workplace should affiliate with a union.

That “ambush election” rule becomes effective April 15, 2015. Employers contend the rule could shorten the time frame for a representation election to as little as 15 days.

STUDY LOOKS AT MANUFACTURING EDUCATION
The Manufacturing Institute has a month-old research report analyzing how different states are implementing workforce education programs. The report is titled “State Responses To The Skills Gap: Successful Policies Advancing Industry Credentials And Manufacturing Education” and can be read here.

The study looks at the workforce education efforts in a number of states including Oklahoma, Indiana, Kansas, Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Missouri, Colorado, and others.

Arkansas, which is looking to retool its workforce education and training efforts, isn’t mentioned in the report. However, there’s a good chance that some of the initiatives profiled in the Manufacturing Institute report will get a close look from Arkansas officials.

HUTCHINSON APPOINTS BASSETT, GAMES; WANTS NATIONAL SEARCH FOR AEDC CHIEF
Gov.-elect Asa Hutchinson will conduct a national search for the next Arkansas Economic Development Commission executive director and will ask for legislative authority allowing the independent foundation supporting AEDC to supplement the director’s salary.

Hutchinson said he was appointing Danny Games, manager of corporate affairs at BHP Billiton and a former president of the Arkansas Economic Developers Association, as deputy director of AEDC. Games will lead the search for the agency’s director.

Hutchinson also announced that Daryl Bassett will serve as director of the Department of Workforce Services. Bassett is a former DWS division chief and currently is the secretary of state’s director of business and commercial services. He is also a former Arkansas Public Service Commission board member. Read more here.

FREIGHT INDUSTRY DATA POINTS TO STRONGER U.S. ECONOMY
Two national freight reports suggest that 2014 may be one of the best years for shippers since the end of the Great Recession, and that tonnage is up and moving despite “costly freight bottlenecks” at the nation’s largest port resulting from on again, off again union contract negotiations.

The American Trucking Associations’ Truck Tonnage Index was up 3.5% in November after a 0.5% increase in October. Year-to-date, tonnage is up 3.3% compared to the same period in 2013. The Cass Freight Index reported that shipments were up 4.2% in November compared to November 2013, and freight expenditures were up 5%. Read more here.