According to the latest research, 71% of Americans support unions. So, it may surprise many people to learn that their tax dollars are being used to subsidize the union-busting industry. In June, LaborLab reported that Pfizer, which has received billions of dollars in government contracts, had hired an army of union-busters. Now, LaborLab has discovered that one of the federal government's biggest contractors is also union-busting.

According to filings reviewed by LaborLab, General Electric (GE) brought in multiple anti-union consultants to conduct coercive union-busting activities targeting frontline workers attempting to organize a union through the UAW. As reported by Bloomberg Law, GE was the 18th largest federal contractor in 2020 and the 11th largest defense contractor. Nothing since 2020 has changed, the company continues to receive huge government contracts. 

Petco workers in Seattle want a union because of low pay, unfair commission structures, and unsafe working conditions for both humans and animals. Unsurprisingly, Petco has responded by hiring a top tier union buster and by trying to stall the union election. In this episode, Jon and Meagan chat with Olivia and Sydney, two pet stylists, about the specifics of what's going on and where things are going. 

Keep up with their campaign on: 

• Twitter: @PetcoUnited
• Instagram: @PetcoWorkersUnited
• TikTok: @PetcoWorkersUnited

Earlier this year, Starbucks workers at the Willow Lawn location in Richmond, VA voted unanimously to unionize, and yet, throughout the campaign, workers were left in the dark about a supervisor who had been transferred to their store after being convicted of sexual assault. In this episode, Jon and Meagan are joined by Meghin and Jillian, two baristas from the Willow Lawn location, who chat about the company's predictable union-busting along with their abysmal handling of sexual assault.

As we have noted in previous issues, many LM-10 filers, identified by persuader LM-20 filings, have yet to file their 2021 LM-10 reports, which would normally be due at the end of March 2022.  We even demonstrated one case using the OLMS Public Disclosure web page, how it is possible to look up a particular set of LM-20’s, then the persuader’s LM-21 to see if receipts from employers were itemized and then to search for the corresponding LM-10 filings.  Remember, the filing of an LM-20 triggers the requirement that the employer who engaged that persuader must file a corresponding Form LM-10 within ninety days of the close of that employer’s fiscal year. 

In this 15 minute interview, Jon and Meagan get fast facts from one of several baristas fired this month from Starbucks in Anderson, SC. Workers there recently voted 18-0 to unionize and the company has responded with everything from refusing to bargain to firing organizers and even accusing them of kidnapping their boss.

As we have noted in previous issues, many LM-10 filers, identified by persuader LM-20 filings, have yet to file their 2021 LM-10 reports, which would normally be due at the end of March 2022.  We even demonstrated one case using the OLMS Public Disclosure web page, how it is possible to look up a particular set of LM-20’s, then the persuader’s LM-21 to see if receipts from employers were itemized and then to search for the corresponding LM-10 filings.  Remember, the filing of an LM-20 triggers the requirement that the employer who engaged that persuader must file a corresponding Form LM-10 within ninety days of the close of that employer’s fiscal year. 

Maybe you missed it, but 43-15 podcast co-host Jon Reynolds had a fascinating email exchange with Mom's Organic Market CEO Scott Nash last month. You can read all about it here. 

Many, if not most, American workers are subjected to employer assaults on their right to unionize and freedom of association even before they petition to form a union. That’s exactly what’s happening to employees in Cheyenne, Wyoming who work for Dyno Nobel, an explosives company. An employer-side letter obtained by LaborLab documents lies, threats, and coercion on the part of Dyno Nobel’s management team in an effort to dissuade workers from even thinking about forming a union. The letter, which was sent to all employees, is also full of inaccuracies.

As UPS drivers deal with unprecedented temperatures, lack of air conditioning, and being told by management to simply drink more water and eat watermelon, their employer is shelling out $2,625 a day (plus expenses) to anti-union consultants.