DOL Issues Long-Awaited Union 'Persuader' Rule

The Department of Labor (DOL) today issued a final rule that, effective July 1, will require companies that hire outside consultants to help them present their case against unionization to reveal those consultants. The DOL terms the hiring of an outside consultant for union organizational battles a "persuader agreement." “Workers should know who is behind an anti-union message. It’s a matter of basic fairness,” said. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez. “This new rule will allow workers to know whether the messages they’re hearing are coming directly from their employer or from a paid, third-party consultant. Full disclosure of persuader agreements gives workers the information they need to make informed choices about how they pursue their rights to organize and bargain collectively. As in all elections, more information means better decisions.” The Federal Register will publish the new rule on March 24. The change will be applicable to arrangements, agreements and payments made on or after July 1, 2016. The final rule and additional information is available on the OLMS website at http://www.dol.gov/olms/regs/compliance/ecr_finalrule.htm.