Ever-changing labor law subject of Chamber seminar

Former United States Air Force F-16 instructor pilot and labor law attorney Steve Wheeless of Steptoe and Johnson LLP joined us at the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry today to discuss recent regulatory and rule changes at the NLRB and DOL. 

A wide range of professionals attended the discussion, including attorneys, government affairs and human resource professionals, as well as representatives from non-profit organizations and hospitals. 

A few highlights of the discussion:

The NLRB has adopted a new approach in defining what constitutes an appropriate bargaining unit in health care facilities that has now extended to include all employers. Under this new standard, an employer is required to prove that employees excluded from a proposed unit “share an overwhelming community of interest” with the employees in the proposed unit in order to prevent micro-fracturing within an organization. This new standard makes an organization very susceptible to unionization, and it is critical for employers to not only identify those groups of employees vulnerable to unions, but to also educate themselves and all employees about this change so that they are prepared to respond to a union solicitation.

The second major change from the NLRB and DOL making it easier for unions to unionize an organization is expediting the representation election process. As the name suggests, the change will significantly condense the time in which employers can respond to a union—  from 21 days to 7 days— and also condense the time for employers to inform their employees about the election. This is another change in which it is critical for employers to be knowledgeable of the representation election timeline should they receive a petition and decide to contest an election.

Steve’s message to the audience was clear: labor law is constantly changing – stay informed. Prepare yourself and your organization for a union solicitation, even if you think it impossible.

Many thanks to Steve for his informative and engaging discussion.

Hiring Our Heroes

Last Thursday, we were very lucky to serve as one of the community partners for Hiring Our Heroes Phoenix. Staff on the ground reported that final numbers appeared to be roughly 800 - 1,000 job seekers – a great turnout!

We are deeply appreciative to the US Chamber of Commerce, Department of Labor Veterans Employment and Training (DOL VETS), the local chambers, the Arizona Office for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), the Employer Partnership of the Armed Forces (EPAF), and the Arizona Department of Economic Security for all they did to help ensure a successful event! In addition, we wish to thank Congressman Paul Gosar, Congressman Trent Franks, Congressman David Schweikert and Senate President Russell Pearce for their opening remarks.

Of course, none of this would have been possible without the 120+ employers that chose to attend. Thank you for your support of America’s heroes!

Dispatch from China: West meets west at Sichuan University

Arizona State University enjoys a special relationship with Sichuan University, a major university in what is considered western China. In fact, ASU President Michael Crow and his team have established deep and enduring relationships all across China, which I believe will pay dividends for generations to come.

Our delegation participated in a roundtable discussion with about 20 students from the university.  A highlight of this meeting was former Congressman Matt Salmon using his fluent Mandarin to discuss issues with the students. 

The students were all very bright, gracious and well informed about the world.  Most expressed an interest in visiting or working in the United States.

The Arizona delegation all left with a good feeling following our discussion with China’s Gen Y.

Dispatch from China: New sneakers

You can eat off of the pavement in certain sections of Shanghai. I feel as if the part of the city where we are staying is almost too new. The best analogy I can think of are new white tennis sneakers - almost too bright and only look right when they get a few marks.

The city of Shanghai has about 23 million people, which is more than twice the size of the largest city in the United States, New York City.

Cranes are everywhere and it reminds me a bit of Arizona circa 2006, when you could feel the growth.

Waking up today on a beautiful, sunny Shanghai morning was simply exhilarating.  The skyline is remarkable and can compete with any city I have ever seen.

Dispatch from China: Taicang Speed

We just finished a visit to Hareon Solar (www.hareonsolar.com) a Chinese solar company.  

Beginning at the end of 2010, ground was broken on a joint venture with Schott Solar in Taicang, a city of about one million, 40 or so kilometers from Shanghai. Taicang is a small town by Chinese standards, with about 800,000 people living or working in it.

Six months after breaking ground the facility was shipping product! 

The locals call this "Taicang speed." Permitting alone in the U.S. can take longer than six months.