The Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) -- Here is What Could Happen

“Speaking of the EFCA (and Wal-Mart), we can get an inkling of what life under the EFCA would be like by looking to our neighbors in the North.  Among other things, the EFCA would mandate binding arbitration if the parties fail to reach a first contract within 120 days.  The Canadian province of Quebec has a similar law, and an arbitrator there recently imposed a collective bargaining agreement on a Wal-Mart Canada Corporation store, making the employees at that store the only Wal-Mart employees in North America to have a union contract. ..."

Wal-Mart Closes Unionized Shop

Wal-Mart said it closed a unionized Quebec tire and lubrication shop because of costs tied to the first labor agreement imposed at any of its North American locations.  The six-employee shop near Ottawa was closed because it would have raised operating costs by at least 30 percent and triggered "dramatic" price increases, the retailer said.  The employees won't be fired and will be offered jobs at other regional shops.

The Coming Storm: Will November Elections Dramatically Alter the Workplace?

The November election promises to be interesting given candidates' differences with respect to the Iraq war and the economy.  However, employers need to be aware that the November election may also have a dramatic impact on labor and employment laws governing their day-to-day operations.
 

Approaching Deadlines for Human Resource/Payroll Professionals

Latest Department of Labor Numbers