NLRB to delay union poster rule
WASHINGTON - The National Labor Relations Board is postponing the effective date of a new rule requiring most private businesses to put up a poster that tells workers about their right to form a union.
The board said yesterday there has been so much confusion about which businesses are covered under the rule that officials want to conduct more outreach, especially to small and medium-sized businesses.
“We got a lot of calls from various businesses that are just not familiar with this law and are not aware they even fall under our jurisdiction,’’ said board spokeswoman Nancy Cleeland.
The rule was supposed to take effect on Nov. 14, but that date has now been moved to Jan. 31. It requires nearly every private business to post the 11-by-17-inch notice in a prominent location explaining a worker’s right to bargain collectively, distribute union literature, and engage in other union activities without reprisal.
The poster includes language explaining the legal right not to join a union.
The rule produced outrage in the business community and at least three major lawsuits challenging the board’s authority to require companies to put up the poster.
Businesses groups trying to block the rule claim the posters are a government effort to encourage workers to unionize.
