Labor Relations Week Index-Summary

ABORTION

– Conscience laws, HHS seeks comments sought on proposal to promote awareness and compliance against health care workers with religious or moral objections to, 1241; proposal for health care workers opposed to participating in abortion services discussed, 1441

ABSENCES FROM WORK

– Leave

– – Family

See FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE

– – FMLA

See FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT (FMLA)

– – Voluntary, Continental Airlines and ALPA reach agreement, 945

ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS

See EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

ACCIDENTS

See OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH
– Fatalities

See FATALITIES

– Injuries

See INJURIES AND ILLNESSES

– OSHA

See OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (OSHA)

– Workers' compensation

See WORKERS' COMPENSATION

ACCOMMODATION

– ADA, challenge to whether reassignment of disabled candidate to vacant equivalent job reasonable (U.S., dismissed following settlement), 78
– Reasonable

See REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

– Religious

See RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION

ACCOUNTING

– Pensions, PBGC proposal amends regulation on annual financial, actuarial information and waive reporting, 259

ACQUISITIONS, CORPORATE

See MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS

ACTORS

See generally ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY
– AEA

See ACTORS' EQUITY (AEA)

– SAG

See SCREEN ACTORS GUILD (SAG)

ACTORS' EQUITY (AEA)

– Broadway League, pact attained with state managers and actors, 986

ADA

See AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA)

ADEA

See AGE DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT ACT (ADEA)

ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGES (ALJs)

– Decisions

See also specific subject or union
– – Electronic issuance, availability announced, In Brief, 842; launch begins in Aug., In Brief, 1058

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE ACT (APA)

– Hazardous substances, TLVs, DOL use of ACGIH exposure guidelines lawful (M.D. Ga.), 712
– Labor Org. Officer and Employee Report (LM-30), AFL-CIO challenges regulation citing DOL's failure to satisfy APA requirements (D.D.C.), 175
– Reporting requirements, DOL rule requiring designated counsel to report reduced fees as gifts on LM-10 forms upheld (N.D. Ga.), 777

ADOPTION LEAVE

– Employee benefits, more employers offering improved packages, 684

ADVERTISING

– Ass'n of Natl. Advertisers/Am. Ass'n of Adver. Agencies, SAG and AFTRA extend commercials contract, 1235
– Card checks, ads faulting Franken's (D-Minn.) support of bill not false or reckless (Minn. Off. of Admin. Hearings), 1400

AEA

See ACTORS' EQUITY (AEA)

AEROSPACE INDUSTRY

– Boeing, IAM and IFPTE urge Air Force to award refueling tankers contract to Boeing or rebid, 908; IAM will not help in overturning award until strike is settled, convention, 1332
– IAM, pacts with

See MACHINISTS (IAM)

– Lockheed Martin, air traffic control specialists reject IAM representation, 699
– Northrop Grumman, pact attained with USW Local 888, 1538
– Personnel shortages, outreach, curricula and faster clearance urged to address, report, 460
– Raytheon, class action certified over retiree health benefit changes in violation of ERISA and LMRA (D. Ariz.), 88; ERISA cannot override CBA requiring no-cost benefits, restoration ordered (D. Ariz.), 1161
– Spirit AeroSystems

– – Decertification election, Wichita, KS workers set to vote on whether to continue SPEEA representation, 763; workers vote to retain SPEEA as bargaining agent, 952
– – Job creation in N.C. announced, In Brief, 728

AFA

See FLIGHT ATTENDANTS (AFA)

AFFILIATION OF UNIONS

– AFTRA 56th union to be granted direct charter, 216
– ANA Delegates remove UAN references from bylaws, 946
– BCTD President Ayers announces reaffiliation with LIUNA, 396
– CNA/NNOC, Pa. Ass'n of Staff Nurses and Allied Prof'ls (PASNAP) affiliates with, 76
– CTW

See CHANGE TO WIN (CTW)

– Disaffiliation

See DISAFFILIATION OF UNIONS

– Mergers, union

See MERGERS, UNION

– SEANC will affiliate with SEIU, In Brief, 659
– T-Union formed by Ver.di and CWA, will work to organize T-Mobile workers, 512

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

– Ariz., petition filed for ballot initiative to bar preferential treatment in state hiring, 1073
– VEVRAA, OFCCP issues final rule on contractors clarifying obligations toward veterans, 519

AFGE

See GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES (AFGE)

AFGHANISTAN

– Anti-war protest, West Coast ports idle as ILWU members stage work stoppage exercising 1st Amend. rights, 658

AFL-CIO

– AFTRA 56th union to be granted direct charter, 216
– BCTD

See BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION TRADES DEPARTMENT (BCTD)

– Colombia FTA, opposed due to continuing violence against trade unionists, 127; AFL-CIO will send delegates to discuss human rights abuses, In Brief, 219
– Executive Paywatch updates CEO compensation, links pay practices to subprime crisis, 579
– Fatality rate among Hispanic and Latino workers up in 2006, report, 640
– FTA, U.S.-Domincan Republic-Cen. Am. (CAFTA-DR), Guatemala charged with alleged labor law violations, 623; OTLA accepts AFL-CIO and Guatemalan unions complaint, 1050
– Health care reform

– – Kaiser Health Care forum, preservation of quality of patient care and union benefits discussed, 642
– – Priority for insured as well as uninsured workers, survey, 497

– Labor Org. Officer and Employee Report (LM-30), regulation citing DOL's failure to satisfy APA requirements challenged (D.D.C.), 175
– National education policy that includes training, funding and high-skill jobs urged by Executive Council, conference, 1132; AFT launches pilot union learning program for 3 unions, In Brief, 1442
– Organizing, pact signed with British Trades Union Congress to thwart union busting firms, 287
– Racketeering charge over misappropriation of funds, former N.Y.C. Cen. Labor Coun. president pleads guilty (S.D.N.Y.), 356
– Retirement funds

– – Investment management, energy and environmental efficiency goals should guide, Sweeney says, 275
– – Shareholder activism provides no benefit for participants and may reduce values, Chamber reports, AFL-CIO disputes wealth effects data, 1104

– Solidarity charters extended for CTW locals until Nov. 2009, procedure for dealing with “no-raid” violators adopted, meeting, Special Report, 1176
– Trusteeship

– – Colo. AFL-CIO resumes control of operations, 471
– – Trust Annual Report (T-1), OLMS proposal for new rule prompts major concerns, 319; comment period extended, In Brief, 481; comments include concerns over compliance burden, loopholes and need for transparency, 759; OLMS issues final rule on annual financial reports for union trusts, 1385; AFL-CIO opposes rule, other groups find rule less burdensome, Special Report, 1555

– 2008 elections, $53.4M budget approved to mobilize members in conjunction with, Special Report, 380; Sweeney urges BCTD delegates to mobilize to elect Democrat for president, 572; Obama (D-Ill.) endorsed, largest grassroots mobilization of working families launched, 944; Secy.-Treasurer Trumka urges members to look beyond race and support Obama, 1001; Executive Council will focus last 90 days on distinguishing presidential candidates and defining Obama (D-Ill.), 1133
– Veterans Coun. Union launched to educate members about McCain's (R-Ariz.) record, 1018

AFSCME

See STATE, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES (AFSCME)

AFT

See TEACHERS (AFT)

AFTRA

See TELEVISION AND RADIO ARTISTS (AFTRA)

AGE DISCRIMINATION

– Cash balance pension plans

See CASH BALANCE PLANS

– Discovery, data on all WGA members key to fair resolution of class claims and disclosure ordered (Cal. Ct. App.), 1204; agencies pay $4.5M to settle, 1249
– EEOC standard for whether filing an EEOC document as a request to protect employee's rights constitutes discrimination charge adopted (U.S.), 332

AGE DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT ACT (ADEA)

– Cash balance pension plans

See CASH BALANCE PLANS

– Defined benefit plans, ALPA did not discriminate against pilots in negotiations (E.D.N.Y.), 1126
– Disparate impact, “reasonable factors other than age”

– – Burden of proof, whether employee or employer has burden of proving RFOA exception challenged (U.S., rev grant), 118; (U.S., vac and rem), 918
– – Regulatory guidance, EEOC seeks comments on proposed changes, 480; regulatory agenda available online, In Brief, 668

– EEOC standard for whether filing an EEOC document as a request to protect employee's rights constitutes bias charge adopted (U.S.), 332
– Labor Outlook 2008, SplSupp (1/31/08)
– Mandatory arbitration, challenge to whether clause waiving rights to file claim is enforceable (U.S., rev grant), 261; attorneys offer views and discuss impact on upcoming ruling, 534; attorneys discuss possible effects of ruling, meeting, 1371; (U.S., oral arg), 1451
– Mandatory retirement for corporate pilots lawful BFOQ, rule mirrors valid FAA commercial rule (N.D. Texas), 708
– Pay differential, RIF'd flight engineers offered lower paying jobs have no claim (7th Cir.), 671
– Retiree health benefits, EEOC issues final rule on exemption allowing employer coordination with Medicare-eligible retirees, 47; challenge to appeals court ruling upholding exemption (U.S, rev den), 447
– RIFs, “me too” testimony requires fact-intensive, context-specific inquiry to determine admissibility (U.S., vac and rem), 296

AGENCIES, FEDERAL

See specific agencies

AGENCY FEES

– First Amendment

See FIRST AMENDMENT

– Litigation costs, challenge to whether Me. State Employees Ass'n violated rights of objecting nonmembers by charging fees (U.S., rev grant), 262; (U.S., oral arg), 1421
– Nonrepresentational expenditures, IBT local unlawfully calculated fees by using arbitration awards to offset (9th Cir.), 703
– Objections, UAW annual renewal requirement violates NLRA §8(b)(1)(A) (NLRB ALJ), 367
– Supreme Court 2008-2009 term, oral arguments for 6 cases pending, 1451

AGRICULTURE

– Catalano Farms and labor contractor considered joint employers, violated FLSA and MSAWPA by charging farmworkers for meals (D.N.J.), 1433
– Cesar E. Chavez Natl. Holiday, activist will be honored March 31, In Brief, 178; AFL-CIO and legislators support House resolution calling for federal holiday, 494
– Florida tomatoes

– – Ag-Mart producer liable for failing to give notice of housing terms, but not liable for ensuring housing met statutory standards (11th Cir.), 1165
– – Substandard wages

– – – Class of Mex. agricultural workers certified (M.D. Fla.), 1130
– – – Democratic bill will respond to wages and poor working conditions, 425; witnesses testify about abuse, underpayment and threats to migrant workers, Senate hearing, 560; Burger King signs wage pact requiring growers to follow code of conduct and to pay higher wages, 762

– Heat-related death, Cal. safety regulators issue citations and levy fines against farm labor contractor after death of minor deprived of water and shade, 1102; Cal. farm labor contractor surrenders state operating license, 1257
– N.C. governor signs pesticide bill protecting agricultural workers from retaliation for whistleblowing, 1300
– OSHA focused inspections, instruction directive adds 7 industries, 305
– Secret mail-in ballots, Cal. governors vetoes bill allowing farmworkers to seek union representation using, 1446
– Tanimura & Antle, farmworkers entitled to pay under FLSA for time spent waiting for ice to melt on crops (D. Ariz.), 1479
– Vineyard death, Cal. regulators order labor contractors to stop operations after failing to give shade and water to employees, 928
– Visas

See VISAS

AIDS AND HIV

– International standard on prevention, ILO announces plan to prepare adoption of, 745

AIR LINE PILOTS (ALPA)

– ABX and DHL, secondary boycott ruling overturned, NLRB lacked jurisdiction over RLA-governed dispute (9th Cir.), 705
– Am. Eagle Airlines, pact attained, In Brief, 1316
– ATA Airlines sued for back pay and benefits for pilots laid-off hours before carrier filed Chapter 11 (S.D. Ind.), 586
– Continental Airlines, agreement reached on early retirement and voluntary leaves of absence, 945
– Delta Air Lines merger with Northwest Airlines, opposed by union, 549; correction, 596; CEOs outline pros of merger, vow to keep hubs open and not layoff frontline employees, unions criticize, 620; Delta CEO defends campaign against AFA-CWA representation, 700; House members press CEOs on no-layoff or closures vow and opposition to AFA-CWA, 733; pre-merger agreement reached, 905; company officials say merger threatens pensions and bargaining rights, 1116; joint pact ratified, effective after merger completion, 1157
– ExpressJet Airlines, pact attained, 1470
– Mesa Air Group, pact attained, 1471
– Northwest Airlines, ERISA, no standing to sue for fiduciary breach claims against pension (8th Cir.), 301
– Pinnacle Airlines, union denies airline's claim in suit alleging bad faith bargaining leading to transfer of aircraft fleet (W.D. Tenn.), 487
– United Airlines reach stand still accord to bar actions aimed at flight disruptions (N.D. Ill.), 1153
– US Airways

– – ADEA, no bias in representation breach in ALPA's defined contribution plan negotiations for pilots (E.D.N.Y.), 1126
– – Representation, NMB sets vote by pilots on replacing ALPA with USAPA, 291; ALPA replaced with USAPA, 590

AIR TRANSPORTATION

– Aerospace

See AEROSPACE INDUSTRY

– Airline Flight Crew Technical Corrections Act

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 2744

– AirTran Airways plans to cut pay by up to 15%, 980
– Alaska Airlines

– – Layoffs announced, In Brief, 1314
– – Seattle baggage handlers and ramp workers, arbitrator rules laying off workers violate IAM pact, 1152

– Aloha Airlines files for Chapter 11 restructuring (Bankr. D. Haw.), 437; airlines cease operations (Bankr. D. Haw.), 514
– ALPA

– – Pacts with

See AIR LINE PILOTS (ALPA)

– – Secondary boycott ruling among ABX, DHL and ALPA overturned, NLRB lacked jurisdiction over RLA-governed dispute (9th Cir.), 705

– American Airlines

– – ADEA, RIF'd flight engineers offered lower paying jobs have no claim (7th Cir.), 671
– – APA, NMB gets request for mediation in pact talks, 553
– – Recall rights extended for ex-TWA flight attendants, 40
– – RLA, APFA lacks standing to sue, shortened 2003 ratification vote lawful, claims dismissed (E.D.N.Y.), 1096
– – Tips, Boston Logan Airport skycaps banned from accepting after airline penalized for violating state law, 657; class action filed, TRO banning no-tipping policy sought (D. Mass.), 728; no-tipping policy eliminated, 801

– AMR

– – APA, mediation process with NMB, In Brief, 254
– – Layoffs announced, 978

– ATA Airlines cease operations hours after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy (S.D. Ind.), 515; ALPA sues for back pay and benefits for pilots laid-off hours before carrier filed Chapter 11 (S.D. Ind.), 586; ALPA files suit for back pay, benefits and WARN Act violation (S.D. Ind.), 622; pact attained with 5 employee groups to settle WARN Act claims (Bankr. S.D. Ind.), 1466
– Atlantic Southeast Airlines and AFA-CWA ratify pact, 1089
– Back pain, training baggage handlers and others to lift does not prevent, article, 192
– Compass Airlines, flight attendants reject AFA representation, 182
– Continental Airlines

– – FMLA, fired flight attendant lacked hours for eligibility, Ohio pregnancy bias claim rejected (U.S., rev den), 1455
– – Layoffs, record fuel costs prompt job cuts and staff capacity reduction, 834; ALPA, agreement reached on early retirement and voluntary leaves of absence, 945
– – TWU representation, fleet workers reject, 80

– Delta Air Lines

– – Merger with Northwest Airlines, opposed by IAM and ALPA, 549; correction, 596; CEOs outline pros of merger, vow to keep hubs open and not layoff frontline employees, unions critical, 620; Delta CEO defends campaign against AFA-CWA representation, 700; House members press CEOs on no-layoff or closures vow and opposition to AFA-CWA, 733; pre-merger agreement reached, 905; company officials say merger threatens pensions and bargaining rights, 1116; ALPA ratifies joint pact, effective after merger completion, 1157
– – Representation election, AFA files petition with NMB, 255; NMB authorizes vote, 444; Delta flight attendants to vote on AFA-CWA representation, 549; correction, 596; CEOs outline pros of merger, vow to keep hubs open and not layoff frontline employees, unions criticize, 620; Delta CEO defends campaign against AFA-CWA representation, 700; House members press CEOs on no-layoff or closures vow and opposition to AFA-CWA, 733; flight attendants reject AFA-CWA representation for the second time, 805; NMB dismisses charges, 1430
– – Voluntary buyout programs offered, 398; 4K employees accept buyout, 874

– Drug testing, DOT rule requires observed specimen collection for workers who previously tested positive for banned drug, 1054; Transp. Trades Dep't asks DOT to reconsider and halt implementation of rule, 1159; rule delayed until Nov., 1239
– Economic outlook, U.S. will cut 31K jobs and eliminate service to 97 cities in 2008, Air Transp. Ass'n reports, 1051; industry expected to lose up to $10B and 36K jobs in 2008, Air Transp. Ass'n says, 1298
– ExpressJet Airlines, pact attained with IAM, ALPA, IBT and TWU, 1470
– Flight attendants, pacts with

See FLIGHT ATTENDANTS (AFA); FLIGHT ATTENDANTS (APFA)

– Freight

See DELIVERY SERVICES

– Frontier Airlines

– – Bankruptcy, airlines files for Chapter 11 (S.D.N.Y.), 550
– – Frontier Airlines Pilots Ass'n (FAPA) ratify pact, includes pay and benefit concessions, 765; FAPA ratifies pact that extends concessionary pact, 1501
– – IBT Local 961, pact attained, 765; pact ratified, 837
– – TWU Local 565 vote on agreement, 765; pact attained, 1501

– IAM, pacts with

See MACHINISTS (IAM)

– L.A. Intl. Airport (LAX)

– – Living wage

See LIVING WAGE

– – SEIU, striking workers return to work after mayor brokers cooling-off period, 1236

– Mesa Air Group, pact with ALPA attained, 1471
– Midwest Airlines plans to cut 1200 jobs, 1019
– NetJets, RLA, pilots' union pact extended to include crew at subsidiary NetJets Intl., 1389
– Northwest Airlines

– – ERISA, no standing to sue for fiduciary breach claims against pension (8th Cir.), 301
– – Layoffs announced, 1015

– Piedmont Airlines service workers reject CWA representation, 255
– Pinnacle Airlines, union denies airline's claim in suit alleging bad faith bargaining leading to transfer of aircraft fleet (W.D. Tenn.), 487
– Representation cases, NMB proposes procedural changes including eligibility criteria of employees to vote in union elections, 1056; proposed changes in procedural manuals withdrawn, 1311; House Comm. and other lawmakers challenge NMB chair over rules and decisions, 1395
– Southwest Airlines, former flight attendant's sex bias and ADA claims challenging discharge for excessive absences not precluded by RLA (5th Cir.), 1061
– Sun Country Airlines files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy (D. Minn.), 1423
– United Airlines

– – Flight disruptions, stand still accord reached with ALPA to bar actions aimed at (N.D. Ill.), 1153
– – IBT campaign to represent mechanics, CTW supports, 115; NMB sets dates and balloting procedures for representation election, 181; mechanics switch union affiliation from AMFA to IBT, 469
– – Layoffs announced, In Brief, 588; voluntary early out plan with AFA will cut 600 flight attendant jobs, 835; UAL announces plan to furlough flight attendants, 1233
– – Penalties, airline fined $215K for safety violations, 782

– US Airways

– – ADEA, no bias in fair representation breach in ALPA's negotiation of defined contribution pension for pilots (E.D.N.Y.), 1126
– – Fuel cost hikes trigger job cuts and reduced capacity, In Brief, 876
– – Union representation, NMB sets vote by pilots on replacing ALPA with USAPA, 291; ALPA replaced with USAPA, 590

AIRCRAFT MECHANICS (AMFA)

– United Airlines, CTW supports IBT campaign to represent mechanics, 115; NMB sets dates and balloting procedures for representation election, 181; mechanics switch union affiliation to IBT, 469

AIRLINE PILOTS (USAPA)

– US Airways, NMB sets vote by pilots on replacing ALPA with USAPA, 291; ALPA replaced with USAPA, 590

ALABAMA

– Voting leave, comparison chart, Special Report, 1557

ALASKA

– Injury workers, legislature approves bill banning public release of personal data, 716
– Voting leave, comparison chart, Special Report, 1557

ALCOHOL

– Service

See FOOD SERVICES

– Testing

See DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING

ALIENS

– Documentation

See UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS

– Federal services

See CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES (USCIS)

– ICE

See IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT (ICE)

– Immigration

See IMMIGRATION
– – Guest worker program

See GUEST WORKERS

– Visas

See VISAS

ALJs

See ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGES (ALJs)

ALLIED PILOTS (APA)

– American Airlines, NMB gets request for mediation in pact talks, 553
– AMR and APA agree to mediation process with NMB, In Brief, 254

ALPA

See AIR LINE PILOTS (ALPA)

AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION (ABA)

– Meetings

See CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS

AMERICAN FEDERATION OF LABOR (AFL)

See AFL-CIO

AMERICAN INDIANS

See NATIVE AMERICANS

AMERICAN MARITIME OFFICERS (AMO)

– Incumbent president Bethel elected, In Brief, 948
– LMRDA §501 fiduciary breach claims against officers for misuse of union funds dismissed, funds property of ERISA (S.D. Fla.), 993
– Whistleblower statute, ERISA preempts union fund official who reported embezzlement from suing plans or union sponsor (Fla. Dist. Ct. App.), 635

AMERICAN NURSES ASSOCIATION (ANA)

– Disaffiliation

– – Mich. Nurses Ass'n announces disaffiliation, UAN references removed from bylaws, 946
– – Minn. Nurses Ass'n announces disaffiliation, 1497

AMERICAN SAMOA

– Minimum wage increase

– – Economic impact, House Comm. witnesses urge Congress to exclude territory from scheduled increase, 293; Senate Comm. witnesses urge Congress to amend law to exclude from hike due to economic impact, 329
– – Legislation

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 5154

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA)

– Accommodation

See ACCOMMODATION

– Amendments

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, S 3406

– Consent decree of EEOC suit claiming applicant with cerebral palsy denied job as cashier or greeter approved (W.D. Mo.), 674
– Essential job functions

– – Hearing-impaired, ruling that disabled drivers were qualified and business necessity defense inapplicable to driving hearing standards reversed (9th Cir., en banc), 18
– – Multiple sclerosis, factory worker not regarded as disabled and unable to work overtime not qualified for job (8th Cir.), 1027

– Job performance, EEOC question-and-answer guide issued, In Brief, 1281
– Medical examinations for job applicants, prohibitions explained, EEOC Op. Letter, 785
– Resignation without notice, arbitration ruling on union pact does not bar re-litigating issue in related suit (6th Cir.), 848
– Restoration Act

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 3195

– RLA, former flight attendant's claims challenging discharge for excessive absences not precluded by (5th Cir.), 1061
– Sex offender registration not a disability, fired store manager has no disability or wrongful discharge claim (S.D. Texas), 1130
– Wellness programs, attorneys address roles GINA, ADA and HIPAA play, conference, 1484

AMFA

See AIRCRAFT MECHANICS (AMFA)

AMO

See AMERICAN MARITIME OFFICERS (AMO)

AMPTP

See MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION PRODUCERS (AMPTP)

AMUSEMENT PARKS

See ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY

ANA

See AMERICAN NURSES ASSOCIATION (ANA)

ANALYSIS AND PERSPECTIVE

– Genetic Info. Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), advocates uneasy about potential effects of newly enacted law, 783
– Nominees, Senate-White House deadlock on pending NLRB, OSHRC and EEOC nominees hurt operations, 456
– Supreme Court 2007-2008 term, relevant opinions issued, 1170 et seq.

ANTITRUST

– Home health care, Ohio executive order establishing collective bargaining rights for independent providers may violate antitrust law and policy, FTC says, 249
– Restraint of trade, steel constructors' challenge to IW job targeting fund may proceed (1st Cir.), 1128
– UPS/DHL partnership, concerns include job cuts, antitrust and revenue loss, House hearings, 1321

APA (ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE ACT)

See ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE ACT (APA)

APA (ALLIED PILOTS)

See ALLIED PILOTS (APA)

APFA

See FLIGHT ATTENDANTS (APFA)

APPAREL AND GARMENT INDUSTRY

– Bolivar-Tees, firing of pro-union workers violated ULP, employer personally liable for back pay (8th Cir.), 886
– Cintas

– – Driver's Privacy Protection Act, UNITE HERE liable for using motor vehicle records to find employees' home addresses (3d Cir.), 1324
– – Living wages, back pay award for failing to pay wages under Hayward ordinance upheld (Cal. Ct. App.), 882
– – RICO Act, claim filed against UNITE HERE, IBT and CTW for conducting extortion campaign in organizing efforts (S.D.N.Y.), 355

– Prudential Overall Supply agrees to $65K accord for living wage violations (Cal. super. Ct.), 1051

APPLICANTS

– Grants

See GRANTS

– Privacy, employer liability for exceeding boundaries during online probes of applicants and monitoring employees discussed, ABA meeting, 967
– Visas

See VISAS

APPLICATIONS FOR EMPLOYMENT

– No-rehire and no-reapply covenants, EEOC opposes, ABA panel discussions, conference, 527
– UGESP recordkeeping requirements, EEOC seeks OMB approval for 3-year extension, concern over Internet job applications, 406; notice of request submitted to renew UGESP, 445

APPRENTICES

– Fringe-benefit differential payments, conflicting competition-leveling clauses in 2 union pacts preclude ruling on employer liability under ERISA and LMRA (E.D. Mich.), 266
– Nashville Elec. Joint Apprenticeship, NLRB ordered to reconsider ruling that joint apprenticeship committee acted as agent of IBEW (6th Cir.), 184
– Race bias, Ford Motor/UAW written tests had disparate impact, $1.6M settles EEOC lawsuit (S.D. Ohio), 19

APWU

See POSTAL WORKERS (APWU)

ARBITRATION

See also specific subject
– ADA, ruling on whether worker resigned without notice under terms of union pact does not bar re-litigating issue in related suit (6th Cir.), 848
– Agency fees, IBT local unlawfully calculated fees by using arbitration awards to offset nonrepresentational expenditures (9th Cir.), 703
– Defined benefit plan, chemical firm must arbitrate with USW Local 4-786 over unilateral decision to deny plan to new hires (D. Del.), 632
– Disability benefits denial not subject to arbitration grievance procedure (3d Cir.), 562
– Filings for labor cases stable, FMCS and AAA report, 801
– Hiring freeze, Med. Ctr. agrees to expedited arbitration to resolve hiring dispute with SEIU (M.D. Pa.), 396
– Jurisdiction, UNITE HERE petition to confirm arbitration ruling against Indian casino dismissed, lacks subject matter jurisdiction (S.D. Cal.), 811
– Labor Outlook 2008, SplSupp (1/31/08)
– LMRA, “side deal” claim rejected, signed USW neutrality agreement must be arbitrated (7th Cir.), 989; agreement applies to all business entities (Arb), 1547
– Mandatory

See MANDATORY ARBITRATION

– Membership criteria, NAA members vote to allow recognition of employment arbitration in, conference, 821
– NRC rule no bar to grievance over denial of site access, discharge based on psychological screening (N.D. Ill.), 1478
– Pension, copper smelting retirees along with USW entitled to arbitrate their entitlement to full benefits (9th Cir.), 54
– Plant closing, tire plant ordered to arbitrate with USW over alleged denial of benefits to laid off workers (W.D.N.C.), 905
– Race bias, Title VII clause not enforceable where IBT pact lacked “clear and unmistakable” waiver of right to sue (E.D. Va.), 883
– Recognition clause, challenge to whether implementation of performance management system arbitrable under clause in IBEW pact (U.S., rev den), 408
– Representation election results at hospital won by CNA/NNOC upheld, NLRB expected to certify union as bargaining agent, 657
– Retiree health benefits, IBEW Local 15 not required to get retirees' consent before arbitrating (7th Cir.), 1282
– RLA, former flight attendant's sex bias and ADA claims challenging discharge for excessive absences not precluded by (5th Cir.), 1061
– SSA no-match letters, arbitration award reinstating janitors fired after getting letters confirmed (9th Cir.), 871
– Wal-Mart Canada, arbitrator awards labor contract for Gatineau, Quebec outlet to UFCW Local 486, 1189; Tire & Lube Express closed over pay hikes mandated under first pact, 1495

ARIZONA

– Affirmative action, petition filed for ballot initiative to bar preferential treatment in state hiring, 1073
– Immigration

– – Employer sanctions law, request to issue injunctions to stop enforcement of state law rejected (9th Cir.), 332; governor signs bill aimed at clarifying employer's sanctions law, 683; Legal Ariz. Workers Act not preempted by IRCA and not violation of due process (9th Cir.), 1363
– – Stop Illegal Hiring Act, petition filed to place proposal on Nov. ballot, 1039

– Voting leave, comparison chart, Special Report, 1557

ARKANSAS

– Voting leave, comparison chart, Special Report, 1557

ARMED SERVICES

– Air Force urged by IAM and IFPTE to award refueling tankers contract to Boeing or rebid, 908; IAM will not help in overturning award until strike is settled, convention, 1332
– Military leave

See MILITARY LEAVE

– Ohio, job bias based on military status will be banned under economic development measure, 101
– Tax relief bill

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 6081

ASBESTOS

– Mining, MSHA issues final rule for lowering permissible exposure limits, 339

ASSAULT

See VIOLENCE

ASSE

See SAFETY ENGINEERS (ASSE)

ASSESSMENTS, UNION

See DUES, UNION

ASSIGNMENTS, WORK

See WORK ASSIGNMENTS

AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT

See EMPLOYMENT AT WILL

ATDA

See TRAIN DISPATCHERS (ATDA)

ATTITUDES OF EMPLOYEES

– Bad bosses, economy impacts retention, survey, 1075; winners announced, 1261
– Happy hour, 1 in 5 go with co-worker, survey, 970
– Job satisfaction

See JOB SATISFACTION

ATTORNEYS

– Legal Servs. of No. Cal., withholding separation pact entered into bargaining unit employee without union knowledge ULP violation (NLRB), 775

ATTORNEYS' FEES

– Agency fee objections, challenge to whether Me. State Employees Ass'n violated 1st Amend. of objecting nonmembers by charging fees for litigation costs (U.S., rev grant), 262; (U.S., oral grant), 1421
– Reporting requirements, DOL rule requiring designated counsel for workers' comp cases report reduced fees as gifts on LM-10 forms upheld (N.D. Ga.), 777

ATU

See TRANSIT UNION (ATU)

AUSTRALIAN WORKERS UNION (AWU)

– Climate change, AWU and USW leaders lobby Congress, 931

AUTHORIZATION CARDS

See RECOGNITION OF UNION, subheading: Card checks

AUTO WORKERS (UAW)

– Am. Axle & Mfg. Holdings, members begin strike at 5 facilities, 290; union reviewing financial data as talks and strike continue, 477; GM offers $200M to end strike, 692; pact attained, 725; pact ratified ending strike, 762; RIFs planned, 797
– Appointments and personnel changes, former president Fraser dies, 311
– Automobile

See AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

– Bally's Atlantic City, NLRB certifies UAW as representative to dealers, 588; Bally's ordered to recognize UAW as bargaining representative (NLRB), 979; Bally's committed ULP during UAW organizing campaign (NLRB ALJ), 1248
– Bally's, Caesars, Tropicana, Trump, rally held in Atlantic City to pressure first contract talks, 930
– Big Three and UAW may serve as joint trustees to manage VEBA retiree health care trust accounts, 93; UAW files class action to get approval of VEBA agreement in 2007 pact (E.D. Mich.), 287
– Caterpillar, third party claim that UAW was partly liable for unlawful retiree health benefits cuts rejected (M.D. Texas), 706
– Chrysler Fin. Servs., salaried employees approve pact, 324
– Chrysler, voluntary incentive packages to hourly employees offered, 138; early retirement and voluntary separation incentives offered to hourly workers, 1311
– DaimlerChrysler, shooting spree case remanded to state court, no LMRA preemption of Ohio negligence claims (6th Cir.), 565
– DTR Indus., coercive threats and statements during organizing efforts violates NLRA §8(a)(1) (6th Cir.), 1546
– Ford

– – Apprenticeship, race bias, $1.6M accord challenging tests approved (S.D. Ohio), 19
– – National labor pact, 3 elements that set stage for groundbreaking talks in 2007 highlighted, conference, 850
– – VEBAs to pay for retiree health benefits, agreement to create $14B fund with UAW approved (E.D. Mich.), 1286
– – Voluntary incentive packages to hourly employees offered, 138

– Foxwoods Resort Casino

– – Owners, UAW agree to explore bargaining under tribal law for dealers pact, 1465
– – Representation elections

– – – Dealers, objections to election overruled, certification urged (NLRB ALJ), 395; allegations of ULP settled (NLRB), 473; UAW certified as bargaining representative (NLRB), 979; Foxwoods Resorts Casino appeals NLRB decision certifying UAW as bargaining representative, 1016
– – – Race book workers reject UAW representation, 807
– – – Technicians, UAW and IBEW Local 99 file petition with NLRB seeking election, 555; UAW withdraws petition, 838

– GM

– – Early retirement, agreement reached to offer incentives to workers, 10; Phase Two of incentive program announced, 107; agreement reached with UAW on special attrition program, 217; 19K hourly workers accept buyout and early retirement packages, 798
– – Economic turnover plan includes cuts in white collar jobs, compensation, and benefits, 1015; plan details released, overview, 1116
– – VEBA retiree health benefits, agreement to fund with independent trust collective bargaining tactic, not union pact strategy, CWA president says, 96; GM-UAW accord to transfer obligation to VEBA approved (E.D. Mich.), 1207

– Johnson Controls workers reject UAW representation, In Brief, 444
– Local 12, union liable for sexual harassment and breach of fair representation duty for steward's treatment of female employee he formerly dated (N.D. Ohio), 187
– Local 31 strike notice issued to GM, 590; strike begins, 659; workers approve agreement and return to work ending strike, 764
– Local 376, annual renewal requirement for agency fee objectors violates NLRA §8(b)(1)(A) (NLRB ALJ), 367
– Local 602, GM Delta Township workers continue strike, 590; GM vows to bargain in good faith, 659; workers approve agreement and return to work ending strike, 764
– Local 1005, GM workers reject tentative pact, 590; pact narrowly approved, 659
– Local 2069, stalled talks with Volvo Trucks trigger strike at Va. plant, 179; pact attained, 363; pact ratified, 400
– Local 2209, strike threat against GM called off, 590
– Local 2296, no ERISA remedy of plant closure benefit deprivation, impermissible instatement order reversed (U.S., rev den), 957
– Local 2320, legal services group violated NLRA §8(a)(5) by unlawfully withholding separation agreement entered into with bargaining unit employee (NLRB), 775
– Local 2488, pact with Mitsubishi Motors attained, 1423
– Local 5287, Thomas Built Buses workers in N.C. retain UAW, decertification bid defeated, 1357; correction, 1397
– Locals 624 and 2149, pact with Magna Intl. ratified, 322
– Locals 1781, 2145, 2256, 2500, pact with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mich. approved, 1356
– Membership levels fell in 2007, report, 471
– Newell Operating, employer's declaratory judgment over retirees health plan amendment rejected, action not aimed to enforce plan provisions or ERISA (7th Cir.), 992
– Ogihara Am., fired pro-union employee who sent falsified complaint to manager not protected, no ULP violation (6th Cir.), 149
– Presidential candidates, Intl. Executive Bd. takes no endorsement position, 5; priorities include universal health, opposition to unfair trade, and preserving manufacturing jobs, 193; Obama (D-Ill.) endorsed, 835
– Stanadyne, legality of pre-election “no harassment” rule banning union talk and solicitation is ULP reversing NLRB finding (2d Cir.), 448
– Strategic alliance, CWA, IFPTE, UAW and USW form to work on common legislative and political goals, 470
– TNT Logistics, firing of truck drivers for sending false statement about driving time overturned (6th Cir.), 151
– Trump Plaza Hotel, NLRB certifies UAW as bargaining representative for dealers (NLRB), 847; pre-election conduct prompts new election for dealers (NLRB ALJ), 1083; casino ordered to bargain with UAW, 1275

AUTOMOBILES

– Use and regulation

See MOTOR VEHICLES

AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

– Am. Axle & Mfg.

– – RIFs planned, 797
– – Strikes

See STRIKES

– Arvin-Meritor, court approves VEBA to fund health care for predecessor Rockwell Automation retirees (E.D. Mich.), 1476
– Atlantic Automotive, firing employees for misreporting earnings to Mich. Unemployment Ins. Agency does not unlawfully interfere with benefits (W.D. Mich.), 1366
– Auto Workers (UAW), pacts with

See AUTO WORKERS (UAW)

– Big Three, CAW expects tough bargaining, will reject two-tier wage model, 495; pact attained with Ford that excludes two-tier wage model, 625; CAW ratifies pact with Ford, formal talks with GM launched, 661; CAW ratifies pact with GM and Chrysler Canada, 730
– Bosch Auto. Sys., no ERISA remedy for deprivation of plant closure benefits, impermissible “instatement” order reversed (U.S., rev den), 957
– CAW president plans to push economic importance of automotive sector in federal national, 1297
– Daimler Trucks plans to shut down 2 manufacturing plants in Portland, Ore. and St. Thomas, Ontario, 1467
– DaimlerChrysler shooting spree case remanded to state court, no LMRA preemption of Ohio negligence claims (6th Cir.), 565
– Dana and Metaldyne, NLRB ruling to allow petitions for decertification election within 45-days after getting notice of union recognition based on card check majority criticized, conference, 268
– Delphi

– – ERISA, accord calling for $331M to settle security fraud and fiduciary duty breach approved (E.D. Mich.), 108
– – Reorganization plan approved contingent on lowering top executive cash bonus payment by $70M (Bankr., S.D.N.Y.), 139; accord approved to restore $2.2M to defined benefit plan (S.D.N.Y.), 987; PBGC pressures firm on transfer of pension obligations to GM, talks continue, 1193; transfer of pension liabilities to GM approved (Bankr. S.D.N.Y.), 1388

– Fed.-Mogul announces job cuts, closes sites in global restructuring, 1353
– Ford

– – CAW attains pact that excludes two-tier wage model, 625
– – 401(k), participants may sue as class alleging fiduciary duty breach for use of employer stock as retirement plan investments (E.D. Mich.), 563
– – Layoffs announced at 3 plants, 321
– – Race and sex bias, hostile work environment and retaliation, order denying motion for summary disposition reversed (Mich. Ct. App.), 636
– – Race bias, $1.6M accord challenging Ford Motor/UAW apprenticeship tests approved (S.D. Ohio), 19
– – Restructuring, plans to retool N. Am. manufacturing operations and offer buyouts announced, 1086
– – VEBAs to pay for retiree health benefits, agreement to create $14B fund with UAW approved (E.D. Mich.), 1286

– GM

– – Economic turnover plan includes cuts in white collar jobs, compensation, and benefits, 1015
– – ERISA fiduciary, $37.5M accord over breach claims over failure to disclose finances which misled ESOP participants reached (E.D. Mich.), 121
– – IUE-CWA, voluntary buyout and early retirement offers reached, 355
– – Nondisclosure of lung test results, Ohio tort claims remanded on jurisdictional grounds, no pact interpretation required (6th Cir.), 735
– – Production shift at each of 4 N. Am. assembly plants will be cut, 624

– Grant awarded to Mich. to help laid-off workers, In Brief, 842
– Motor vehicle use and regulation

See MOTOR VEHICLES

– Plant closings

See PLANT CLOSINGS

– Steelworkers (USW), pacts with

See STEELWORKERS (USW)

– Thomas Built Buses, N.C. workers retain UAW, decertification bid defeated, 1357; correction, 1397
– UAW, pacts with

See AUTO WORKERS (UAW)

– USW, pacts with

See STEELWORKERS (USW)

– YRC Worldwide will close 27 terminals in 9 states, 216

AWARDS