Harvard Square Labor Rally Protests Union Busting Consulting Firm

Cambridge Mass. - Consulting firm HR Hero conducted a "Union Avoidance Master Class" at the Sheraton Commander Hotel on Wednesday to train local employers how to keep their workplace union-free. Union members and allies rallied outside the event in support of the Employee Free Choice Act which would make such tactics less appealing to employers. According to labor spokespeople HR Hero advises employers on the most effective ways to crush union drives by intimidating workers spreading misinformation and stalling collective bargaining processes without breaking current labor laws. Barbara Cooke and Jeanine Hickey rallying for Massachusetts Nurses Association Among the protesters were union members from Iron Workers Local 7 United Auto Workers Local 2322 and the Massachusetts Nurses Association who chanted "Stop union busting!" and held signs reading "Strengthen working families with unions " "The world is not for sale" and "Employee Free Choice Act now!" Bob Simons gave an account of how his employer Hampshire Educational Collaborative hired HR Hero as consultants to frustrate their bargaining process. According to Simons under HR Hero's consultation Hampshire Educational Collaborative distributed misinformation to employees and stalled the process for eighteen months consistently lowballing organizers. Over that time the bargaining committee dwindled from about ten individuals to only two due to layoffs and turnover. Simons said the union eventually needed to bring in a mediator to reach an agreement that provided job security but their employer claimed they could only afford to give minimal increases. Simons said this wouldn't be the case if they had not paid $150 000 to HR Hero. Bob Haynes President of Massachusetts AFL-CIO Rallies Workers The workers and representatives from Massachusetts AFL–CIO and Massachusetts Jobs with Justice stood in solidarity to support the EFCA a bill Stewart Acuff Assistant to the President of the AFL–CIO described as "potentially the biggest change in federal labor law in 70 years." Sponsored by Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and co–sponsored by every member of the Massachusetts congressional delegation the EFCA would strengthen unions in three major ways: Union Certification on the Basis of Majority Sign Up: Upon a majority of employees signs authorizations designating the union as its bargaining representative the union will be certified. First Contract Mediation and Arbitration: If an employer and union are unable to reach agreement within 90 days of the start of bargaining either party may request mediation. If mediation fails after 30 days the dispute will be referred to arbitration and the results of arbitration will be binding on the parties for two years. Stronger Penalties for Violations of the NLRA During Union Formation: Employers could face $20 000 civil fines per violation of employee rights; they would be force to pay triple back pay for discharging employees during the organizing or first contract processes; the NLRB will be required to seek a federal court injunction against an employer who discharges or discriminates against employees engaged in union organizing. The bill was passed in the House where every Democratic representative present and some Republican representatives voted for but a Motion to Invoke Cloture in the Senate failed by nine votes. It is unlikely to reach President Bush before the general election in November and may face a veto if it does. Tim Sullivan Legislative and Communications Director at Massachusetts AFL–CIO is optimistic that if elected Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama will be a strong supporter of labor. Obama has pledged to make labor reform a pillar of his presidency and Sullivan says the AFL–CIO will hold him accountable to those promises. State Senator Anthony Galluccio (D-Cambridge) capped off the event saying "Any time any group comes to this city to try and bust unions we're gonna be here to let them know they're not welcome in this city." When asked about the protest HR Hero Vice President of Conferences and Seminars Monte Arnold stated "We had our conference inside and we don't know what they did outside. I think it was much ado about nothing." Arnold characterized HR Hero as "a provider of training and content for human resources executives. As part of our relationship with law firms in each state they provide us with content for conferences or live speaker events." According to the HR Hero website the firm will be conducting another "Advanced Interactive Workshop" at Hyatt Regency Boston in October. The class will teach attendees to "become the Family Medical Leave Act expert at your organization—the one top management turns to for accurate and justifiable personnel policy–making advice—when you invest just one information–packed day in learning the very latest compliance tactics." Bookmark/Search this post with: Delicious Digg StumbleUpon Reddit Newsvine Facebook Google Yahoo Technorati