ABC-SEMI Southeast Michigan Contractors Issue 4, 2021

8 Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. UNIONS AND THE L AW “If your company becomes the target of a union-organizing effort, keep your head,” said ABC SEMI President and CEO Keith Ledbetter. “Some anti-union activities can spell disaster for a company. Both the NLRA and the Taft-Hartley Act prohibit employers from discriminating against employees for participating in union activities. That is not to say that you cannot do something to prevent this, just make sure you have consulted a legal professional skilled in labor law to help guide your company’s efforts.” You have the right to express your views to persuade your employees not to join a union, and you also have the right to run your business. Use and protect these rights by exercising caution and controlling your own behavior. Don’t act emotionally or with a feeling of betrayal. Make sure you have a thorough knowledge of the labor law rules and have expert help. Your own conventional wisdom won’t suffice, nor will your own determination of what is fair, no matter how objective you think you are. “Your ‘common sense’ in how you think you can deal with picketing or salting will probably get you into legal trouble,” said Ledbetter. Our Chapter Attorney, Frank Mamat, of Barnes and Thornburg, was the first in the Country to put on a Salting Avoidance seminar for ABC members in 1991. He has successfully helped ABC members deal with pickets since 1986. You can legally and success- fully deal with pickets and salts—but do not try to “go it alone.” Reach out to ABC and we will point you in the right direction for help and advice. The law may appear too restrictive, but you clearly have weapons available. Despite labor law pitfalls and restrictions and the frustrations they may cause, you can emerge intact from a union’s organiz- ing campaign. Make sure the law is on your side in union disputes Frank Mamat has successfully helped ABC members deal with pickets since 1986. You can legally and successfully deal with pickets and salts—but do not try to “go it alone.” Reach out to ABC and we will point you in the right direction for help and advice. When it Comes to Unions Never go it Alone