by Phil Wilson
What a week.
Chairman Phil Miscimarra left office last Saturday, but he went out with a bang. Unions must be calling this the December Misciree (I know, it’s a groaner, but don’t blame me – blame
Arlo Guthrie).
Bottom line: The first Republican-majority NLRB in nearly a decade made up for lost time.
My
last Insight article included a “wish list” of items I hoped the Board would tackle in the first half of next year, after Miscimarra’s replacement is confirmed. They knocked a lot of them off in the first half of last week!
Here are the highlights:
- Employee Handbooks: The Boeing decision was the first big one. It basically (and logically) found that most handbook provisions will not trigger unfair labor practice liability without a showing that the employer actually used it to interfere with rights under the Act. This framework, suggested by Miscimarra in dissents over the last few years, should end the witch hunts (and pointless litigation) over neutral handbook provisions.
- Joint Employer: This was the one everyone hoped to see. In Hy-Brand and Brandt the Board overturned the controversial Browning Ferris decision that exploded the definition of joint employer beyond recognition. These two cases return the joint employer question back to whether the contractor employer actually exerts control over the contracted one. The uncertainty caused by Browning Ferris was dramatic and this stabilizes a very important area of law.
- Micro Units: In PCC Structurals, Inc. the Board overturned the “overwhelming community of interest” standard in Specialty Healthcare that allowed unions to target small micro-units. The Board returned to the historic “community of interest” standard in place for decades, which prevents fractured bargaining units and ensures that unions must achieve support from all employees impacted by exclusive representation.
- Unilateral Changes: In Raytheon the NLRB returned the law to another standard in place since the 1960’s. This case once again allows employers to make “changes” when they are consistent with past practice (technically they said acts consistent with past practice aren’t changes at all).
Importantly, the Board also asked for comment on whether they should consider reversing the ambush election rulemaking. We’ll be filing more thoughtful comments but here’s a quick summary: Uh, yes.
There were other decisions, but these four make the highlight reel. If you are a total labor nerd (guilty), you may also find it interesting to read the footnotes in some of the routine orders coming down. Even in cases where a Board panel is keeping the law where it is (for the moment), both
Chairman Kaplan (that was announced today) and Member Emmanuel are telegraphing their willingness to reverse many other Obama-era cases as soon as they have the opportunity.
As I mentioned
last month, I’d like to see a lot of these issues dealt with through rulemaking. Last week is a great example of why. In one week the new majority reversed a pile of bad decisions that took years to get into place. That’s the good news. The bad news is you can fully expect the same thing will happen the next time the majority changes hands. Rulemaking, while harder to get into place, is also much harder to change.
One thing I’ll say for Phil Miscimarra: he knows how to make an exit. There is a saying often attributed to P.T. Barnum: “You always want to leave them wanting more.” Miscimarra definitely followed Barnum’s advice. I wish he was staying on for another term (or at least part of one). He will definitely be missed.
Serving as an NLRB Member, especially in the minority, is a thankless, stressful job and Miscimarra did it beautifully. His dissents for the last several years laid the groundwork for all these reversals (and many more to come). The frustrating last year of waiting for new Board members wasn’t wasted. These important decisions were lined up and ready to rock as soon as the new nominees found their desks. And I’m hopeful and confident the new Board (especially once Peter Robb is confirmed) will pick right up where this one left off.
Today would normally be our last issue of INK for 2017 but our writing team is resting up for a big 2018 (which will be full of surprises – if you want a sneak peak you should
check out our re-designed website).
In closing, let me wish you and your family the happiest holidays, a Merry Christmas, and a wonderful New Year. We are so very thankful for each of our clients and friends and we look forward to seeing you in 2018.
