05/ 30/ 2007
Faced with declining membership, unions are aggressively trying to find ways to expand their influence. We're working hard to defeat pro-union legislation that would burden small business, but the battle doesn't end if a bill becomes a law.
Legislatures are never the final authority on whether a law should be upheld. This job belongs to the courts, and NFIB's Legal Foundation is actively lobbying the courts to side with free enterprise and against unfair union tactics.
For example, the Foundation asked the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down a California law that prevents employers who receive government funds from talking to their employees during union-organizing drives. In its request, the Foundation urged the court to protect employers' freedom-of-speech rights, arguing that employees deserve to hear both sides of the argument.
In another case before the Supreme Court, the Foundation asked the court to uphold a Washington law that protects nonunion employees. The law requires unions to obtain nonunion employees' consent before using fees for political purposes.
For more information on these cases and other Legal Foundation initiatives, visit www.NFIB.com/legal.
NFIB Legal Foundation's New Guide Offers Advice on How to Avoid Unionization
Facing a union-organizing campaign can create enormous anxiety for a small-business owner. However, you do have rights as an employer, and what you do and say during a union-organizing drive is critical. To help members be prepared, NFIB's Legal Foundation created a members-only guide to educate small-business owners about their rights. Arm yourself, and you'll know what to do if a union attempts to invade your business.
Read excerpts from A Small-Business Owner's Rights During a Union Organizing Campaign on page 24 of this issue, then visit www.NFIB.com/legal to download your copy.
