Micro-unions

We are amidst the greatest economic recession of our lifetime, with only small signs of recovery so far showing. Businesses are reluctant to hire, unwilling to invest in the current climate. Why the hesitation?

To put it plainly, they are afraid of the government and the uncertain regulatory future. Agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Labor Relations Board have put forth a host of new regulations, with even more rules waiting in the wings.

Consider for example the new NLRB rule that allows for the creation of micro-unions. These union groups are called micro because they can be just a small subset of an entire workforce. A minority portion of workers can form a union, as well as multiple unions incorporated within the same workplace.

Imagine the expensive headache of negotiating numerous contracts with different bargaining units. Not only would this cause internal problems between micro-unions as different worker groups jockey against each other, but cause an egregious amount of extra work for the employer.

This is a perfect example of the type of regulation that is creating uncertainty for employers.

But when Sen. Jon Tester had an opportunity to overturn this new NLRB rule, he voted against Montana job creators and instead sided with the Obama administration and their special-interest cronies once again.

Sen. Tester proves he’s more concerned about Big Labor than creating jobs, as he had a chance to eliminate some uncertainty but chose to vote the other way.

George Everett

Kalispell