@LRToday Morning Round-Up: January 9, 2013
Lawsuit Alleges Member Griffin Complicit in Embezzlement Cover-Up: Lachlan Markey at the Washington Free Beacon reports that a lawsuit filed in California federal court accuses National Labor Relations Board member Richard Griffin of being complicit in a plot to cover up acts of embezzlement at the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE). The lengthy complaint, which can be found HERE, also alleges violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO Act).
The suit seeks over $5million in damages for a number of RICO Act violations, as well as violations of the Labor Management and Disclosure Act. A Board spokesman referred requests for comment to Griffin's attorney, who has called the allegations "preposterous."
This is not the first time that Griffin has been in some hot water. Back in July of 2012, Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) sent Griffin a letter requesting information regarding any ties Griffin may have had with IUOE members who have been convicted of crimes. We will certainly keep you posted on any developments in this case.
Hockey is (Almost) Back: The X's and O's of the New Collective Bargaining Agreement: Donnie Tasser of the Pitt News has laid out the major terms that the National Hockey League and the Players' Association have agreed to in order to end the current lockout. Pucks are tentatively set to drop on January 19, 2013 on a 48-game season. While players and owners still need to ratify the deal, at this point signing the agreement seems to be nothing more than a formality.
Both sides made several major concessions in bargaining in order to reach an agreement. In particular, the division of revenue between players and owners has dropped from 57/43 to an even 50/50 split. The NHL also agreed with the Players' Association that player salary variances would be capped at 35%.
Local Alro Steel Union Members to Vote on De-Unionizing: Jeff Engel of the Milwaukee Business Journal reports that production employees at Local Alro Steel in Wauwatosa, WI will vote this Thursday on whether or not they wish to remain represented by the United Steelworkers, AFL-CIO. The 34 employees voting had filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board on December 7, 2012, seeking a decertification vote. The current collective bargaining unit governing the employees expires in November of this year, so there is a possibility that the employees could shop around for new representation.
