Free Republic

EAST PEORIA, Ill. (AP) -- The United Auto Workers union filed an unfair labor practice charge against Caterpillar Inc. over a smoking ban that goes into effect at all of its U.S. properties on Sunday. The union claims the ban goes against guarantees in the UAW contract, and that such a policy shift is subject to collective bargaining. The union says smoking has been a contractual privilege for 60 years. Caterpillar, however, said it was time to end smoking at work. "It would be unfortunate and disappointing if some employees decide to strike over the company's decision to prohibit smoking...

NLRB Green Lights Ban on Off-Duty Fraternizing Among Co-Workers It is a regular pastime for co-workers to chat during a coffee break, at a union hall, or over a beer about workplace issues, good grilling recipes, and celebrity gossip.  Yet a recent ruling by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) allows employers to ban off-duty fraternizing among co-workers, severely weakening the rights of free association and speech, and violating basic standards of privacy for America's workers. So how did the NLRB decide to weaken fundamental workplace protections?  Security firm Guardsmark instituted a rule directing employees not to "fraternize on duty or off...

LOVELAND (AP) - In a move that has been unsuccessful elsewhere in the United States, 17 workers at a Wal-Mart Tire & Lube Express have taken the first step to unionize. The National Labor Relations Board planned a hearing Thursday to consider the workers' request to be represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7. "Wal-Mart workers don't have to be second-class citizens," said Ernest Duran Jr., president of the union, which also represents more than 17,000 grocery workers at King Soopers, Safeway and Albertsons. Union officials argue the workers in the automotive service department are separate from...