If you are growing weary of seeing UAW President Shawn Fain’s face whenever a Big Labor conversation pops up, the bad news is that he’s still going like the Energizer Bunny. Fain knows no boundaries while claiming to be pro-worker but still hurting his members in critical ways: (1) The data shows, as our own Phil Wilson recently discussed in light of Fain’s “moon shot” mass-organizing effort in… Source ..read more

Unfortunately, this year has provided ample opportunity to watch how unions respond to layoffs, which have been plentiful in many industries. Big Labor, of course, cannot shield workers from these job losses but will always attempt to shift the blame for responsibility. That stance grows more damning when a union’s maneuverings help cause layoffs, and in response, union leaders tend to shrug… Source ..read more

Like the rest of us, student workers at universities are feeling the rising cost of living. Their experience is likely heightened by the crush of increasingly expensive tuition in 2024. Unions, however, will not solve the problems that student workers face—quite the opposite, as it turns out. As we have previously detailed, a wild assortment of unions have gone poaching in higher ed to… Source ..read more

Last December, Starbucks requested to reopen negotiations with Workers United. This move arrived a full two years after the first Starbucks cafe unionized and over a year after contract negotiations stalled out. In the interim, a trickle of cafes continued to unionize, and Workers United now claims 420+ wins, which remains a tiny number compared to the 9,000+ U.S. Starbucks locations. Source ..read more

The UAW has won the recognition election at the Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The vote was 2628 in favor of the union, and 985 against, a 73% vote in favor of the union. There were a total of 4,326 eligible voters, with 3,630 total votes being cast. Three votes were voided, and seven votes were challenged. Source ..read more

A few years ago, unions aggressively entered the retail sector in an effort to make “the next Starbucks” happen. That fight hasn’t let up, although momentum has been lacking, with initial victories at Chipotle and Apple not yielding the sky-high results promised by unions. The slow and elusive nature of first contracts consistently proves that representation election victories are only the first… Source ..read more

In this invigorating episode of The Left of Boom Show, prepare to be entertained and educated as we explore the unconventional intersection of improv comedy and leadership. Hosts Phil Wilson and Michael VanDervort are thrilled to welcome Erin Diehl, a dynamo of creativity and innovation in the professional development world. Erin, known for her infectious energy and unique approach to education… Source ..read more

Like many Big Labor leaders, Teamsters President Sean “Militant” O’Brien has been putting on a brave face regarding dwindling union membership numbers since he took office two years ago. That, in and of itself, is not too surprising. What is more interesting is how O’Brien’s posturing has included numerous false claims, such as asserting faux union election victories and calling the latest UPS… Source ..read more

Welcome to another enlightening episode of The Left of Boom Show. In today’s conversation, hosts Phil Wilson and Michael VanDervort explore the transformative power of corporate communications and reputation management and how these critical elements can be leveraged to cultivate an extraordinary workplace culture. Joining us is Nick Kalm, a seasoned expert with over three decades of experience… Source ..read more

Let’s examine the current labor trends for 2024 as reported by the NLRB and from our own labor databases. The NLRB’s recent statistics release paints a picture of a changing and challenging labor environment. Labor activity is on the rise. NLRB Trend Report for 1st Half Fiscal Year 2024 Unprecedented Increase in Union Petitions and Unfair Labor Practices The NLRB’s field offices have… Source ..read more