Archive for September 2015

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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2015

Joe Cahill

Crain’s Chicago Business

Reaction to a controversial decision by the National Labor Relations Board has focused mainly on potential ramifications for franchise operators like McDonald’s.

Yet the vote will reverberate in a sector of the local economy that’s been more robust than fast food in recent years. Chicago’s booming warehouse and distribution industry is likely to see an upsurge of union organizing activity under the NLRB’s newly expanded definition of “joint employer.”

“I think there’s going to be a tremendous increase” in unionization efforts at warehouses like those lining Interstate 80 in Will County and other transportation corridors around the Chicago area, said Michael Lotito of law firm Littler Mendelson, a San Francisco-based attorney who represents companies in labor matters.

The NLRB ruling deemed Browning-Ferris Industries a “joint employer” at a California recycling facility staffed by workers supplied by a temporary employment agency. As such, Browning-Ferris could be required to bargain collectively with workers.

Read more at Crain’s