Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

November 22, 2008 3:55:10 AM CST

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Big Unions Cut Secret Deals With Employers

Posted May 10, 08 6:25 AM CDT in Business 

(Newser) – Two of America's biggest unions have made secret deals with major employers that let the companies choose where workers can organize and how many of them can do so, the Wall Street Journal reports. The unions, SEIU and Unite Here, say the confidential agreements have gotten more workers into unions, and they defend not letting their members know about them.

The deals affect 1.7 million workers who provide outsourced food, laundry and housekeeping services. Trade-offs where employers drop opposition to unions in return for the unions accepting restrictions—called neutrality agreements—have become more common as a strategy to avoid conflict in growing industries. But labor experts say the SEIU and Unite Here deals raise tough questions about transparency and workers' rights.

Source Wall Street Journal

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • SEIU Local Paid Big Bucks to Relatives' Firm

    Aug 9, 08 7:05 PM CDT
    SEIU Local Paid Big Bucks to Relatives' Firm California's biggest union local has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on companies owned by its president's relatives, the Los Angeles Times reports. The SEIU local for low-wage caregivers, and a related charity, paid six figures to a video company run by the wife and mother-in-law of union President Tyrone Freeman. He defends the expenses, which include nearly $300,000 on a golf tournament and $10,000 on a celebrity cigar lounge.
    More »

  • Wal-Mart Tells Managers to Fear Democratic Win

    Aug 1, 08 9:50 AM CDT
    Wal-Mart Tells Managers to Fear Democratic Win Wal-Mart is warning store managers and department supervisors nationwide that a Democratic victory in November would likely lead to passage of a federal law making unionization easier, the Wall Street Journal reports. In a series of mandatory meetings, the company says it's not telling hourly employees how to vote, which is illegal, but acknowledges that it is making the case against unions—and letting them know that a vote for Obama is a vote for unionization.
    More »

  • SEIU Machine Lines Up Behind Obama

    Feb 15, 08 4:40 PM CST
    SEIU Machine Lines Up Behind Obama The Service Employees International Union cast its lot with Democrat Barack Obama today, the New York Times reports. "We have an enormous amount of respect for Senator Clinton, but it's now become clear members and leaders want to become part of an effort to elect Barack Obama the next president," said the president of the influential 1.9-million member union. More »

In this photo released by SEIU, Brian Alexander, 6 months, joins janitors and supporters during a Justice for Janitors rally as they march for better wages and access to affordable health care.   (AP Photo/SEIU, Susan Goldman)
Janitors belonging to the SEIU and their supporters participate in the Justice for Janitors march, in the Century City section of Los Angeles, Friday, June 15, 2007.   (AP Photo)
Security officers belonging to SEIU on strike in California.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (
1
 of 1)

Tags

labor unions • union • employers • SEIU • workers' rights


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other Business Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser a team of editors and writers culls the most important stories from hundreds of U.S. and international sources and reduces them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. It's the Newser guarantee: we can take any report or column or video and pack what you need to know into 120 words or less. Newser's short-form aggregation, visual format, and unique information tools help you get more of the kind of news you want, in a quicker and more entertaining way. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »