NLRB Moves To Overturn State Law That Bans Mandatory Attendance At Anti-Union Meetings

Trump’s NLRB is at it again, seeking to overturn laws that protect workers from anti-union employers.

“The National Labor Relations Board wants a federal judge to throw out an Oregon law that prohibits employers from disciplining workers who refuse to attend mandatory meetings on politics, religious matters or unions.

The board filed a complaint against Friday in U.S. District Court in Portland, saying federal law preempts the state law.

The board argues that mandatory meetings called by an employer to discuss the employer’s views about unions have long been permitted under the National Labor Relations Act, provided they aren’t held within 24 hours before a union election.

Oregon’s law conflicts with Congress’ intent under the federal act not to regulate ‘non-coercive employer speech about unions,’ the suit says.

[Trump’s New Policy Gives Sec. Of Defense The Go-Ahead To Stop Collective Bargaining With Unions]

In May 2010, a federal judge upheld the Oregon workplace meetings law, Senate Bill 519, which lawmakers passed the prior year. It went into effect in January 2010.

Oregon became the first state in the nation to adopt a law that says employers can’t discipline or threaten to discipline employees who don’t want to go to mandatory or ‘captive audience’ meetings on religious or political matters, including the employer’s views on labor unions. It also requires employers to post a notice telling employees of their rights under the law.”

For the rest of the story, visit Oregon Live here.