With many employers weathering the economic slump by cutting jobs, pay and/or benefits, employers also fear the repercussions that could come from such actions. Particularly, the Wall Street Journal today notes that employers are gearing up for how such actions might make them vulnerable to workers seeking to unionize:
U.S. businesses, fearful of rising union influence and a crackdown by the Obama administration on workplace practices, are scrambling for legal advice and training. . .Labor consultants and lawyers are . . briefing companies large and small on a range of matters such as complying with current and recently enacted legislation, and how to detect union organizing and prevent it without breaking the law. Another pressing issue is whether companies have opened themselves to union organizing drives because they have cut jobs, pay or benefits to weather the economic slump.