Bob Funk, founder of LaborLab, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the rise in union-busting activities, the importance of transparency in labor relations and LaborLab's efforts to educate organizers about employer disclosure requirements.
Funk discussed a “significant increase in union-busting firms and their subcontractors,” with some charging exorbitant fees like $3,800 per day plus expenses. He emphasized the need for timely disclosure of union-busting agreements, as mandated by the Labor-Management Relations and Disclosure Act. However, Funk noted many employers and consultants fail to comply, often waiting until after union elections to reveal their activities, if at all.
LaborLab has worked to make union-busting information accessible to the public and the labor movement. In just five years, Funk said they have trained over 700 labor organizers on using employer disclosures to combat union-busting tactics. Funk stressed the importance of this knowledge, citing examples of workers using disclosure information to highlight the disparity between union-buster pay and their own wages.
To address the Department of Labor's lack of enforcement, LaborLab is building a grassroots network to identify and report union-busting activities using LM-20 reports known as Persuader Reports. Funk urged unions and organizers to contact LaborLab for training on leveraging transparency rules and filing complaints against non-compliant employers and consultants.
Listen to the full episode for more insights on combating union-busting tactics and promoting worker rights.