Kentucky River

Have you ever shown a colleague at work how to perform a task? Have you ever asked a co-worker to do something to help you finish your own job? If so, the federal labor board is poised to revoke your legal right to union protection. You would lose your right to form a union and join with your co-workers to bargain collectively for a better life.

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), currently dominated by pro-corporate Bush-appointees, will soon decide three cases that could further attack workers’ rights in America. The NLRB may vote to broaden the definition of a “supervisor” to include anyone who assigns or directs the work of others—whether or not they are actually part of management—thereby further stripping from these workers their legal protections under the National Labor Relations Act.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Stop This Attack on Workers' Rights

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

Very soon, the National Labor Relations Board will decide on the so-called "Kentucky River" cases that will determine the definition of a "supervisor" in the workplace.

The decisions in these cases could affect millions of workers across virtually every industry. If the NLRB decides that anyone whose job duties include overseeing the work of a less-experienced colleague is a supervisor, coverage under federal labor law could be stripped from all but the least-experienced workers, drastically undercutting workers' ability to bargain collectively for a better life.

It is vital that the NLRB not vote to strip labor law protection from more workers and curtail their freedom to form unions and bargain collectively.

I urge you to contact NLRB Chairman Robert J. Battista and tell him to grant oral arguments for the "Kentucky River" cases so that workers have a full and fair hearing.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
June 07, 2006

Background Information

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), currently dominated by pro-corporate Bush-appointees, will soon decide three cases that could further attack workers’ rights in America. The NLRB may broaden the definition of a “supervisor” to include skilled workers who assign or direct the work of others—whether or not they are actually part of management—thereby further stripping from these workers their legal protections under the National Labor Relations Act.

Contact your members of Congress today and urge them to stop the assault on your freedom to join a union. Tell them to ask NLRB Chairman Robert J. Battista to hold oral arguments on these important cases.

One of the groups that immediately will be affected by the NLRB’s decision is registered nurses. These nurses often rotate the duties of a “charge nurse,” who may oversee the work of nurses aides or students. If the NLRB changes the supervisor definition, someone who works as a charge nurse just one shift a week could lose legal protection of their right to join a union—even though that nurse is not a manager.

The precedent set in these cases could affect workers in virtually every industry, including those in the building trades and port shipping industries. Eventually, anyone whose job duties include overseeing any kind of work could be denied the right to join a union. This is just another case of the Bush-appointed NLRB working to strip the power of working people by excluding many from union eligibility while cutting the bargaining power of those who remain.

You can make a difference. Contact your representative and senators today and tell them to ask the NLRB to hold oral arguments on these crucial cases so that workers have a voice.