WASHINGTON — Employers can no longer require workers to attend mandatory anti-union meetings, the National Labor Relations Board ruled Wednesday, a major shift in labor law that could impact union organizing efforts nationwide.
The decision, stemming from a case involving a series of anti-union meetings at Amazon's Staten Island warehouse, overturns a 75-year-old precedent that had allowed employers to hold these so-called "captive audience meetings" where workers were required to listen to management's views on unionization.
Under the new ruling, employers can still hold meetings to express their views on unionization, but must now give workers advance notice about such meetings and explicitly inform them that attendance is voluntary. Companies must also assure workers they won't face repercussions for skipping the meetings or have their attendance recorded.
"Today's decision better protects workers' freedom to make their own choices in exercising their rights," NLRB Chairman Lauren McFerran said in announcing the decision.
The Board determined that mandatory anti-union meetings violate federal labor law because they interfere with employees' rights to freely decide whether to participate in discussions about union representation. The ruling also cited concerns about workplace surveillance and economic coercion.
The decision was approved by a 3-1 vote. The NLRB specified that the new standard will only apply to future cases.
