Back to News

Proposed NLRB Rule Dials Back to Obama Era

Published on

August 15, 2019

What You Should Know 

The National Labor Relations Board has proposed three policy changes to its election procedure for union representation, which would give employees greater rights to choose union representation.

The proposed rule, the “Election Protection Rule” would amend regulations governing the filing and processing of petitions for secret ballot union elections, affecting three aspects of the rule:

  • The effect of “blocking charges” filed by a union during a decertification election.
  • The election bar after an employer voluntarily recognizes a union.
  • The election bar after an employer in the building and construction industry voluntarily recognizes a union.

President Trump-appointed NLRB Chairman John Ring said the board’s majority believes that the changes further the goal of protecting employees’ right to choose—or refrain from choosing—a labor organization to represent them. Changes in the proposed rule are not new, as they would adopt the Board’s prior Pre-Obama era position on these issues.

What’s Next? 

There is a 60-day comment period for the proposed rule. The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on August 12th, and employers, workers and interested members of the public have until October 11 to respond.

Change is coming. The NLRB is taking proactive steps (they are not waiting for decisionmaking) to protect employee rights to directly impact their choice of representation status, and we can expect to see further moves in this direction.

What Should You Do?

  • Employers should submit comments for the NLRB to consider.
  • Employers should continue to monitor their workplaces for union activity and prepare for quickie elections until the rule is adopted.
  • Employers should continue to monitor NLRB activity as this and other rules are going through the proposal and enactment process.

If you have any questions about this proposed rule, or would like assistance in crafting comments to the NLRB, please contact me or anyone in the Barley Snyder Employment Practice Group.


Related News

View More News
Press Release
October 8, 2025

Barley Snyder Partner Kevin Moore Honored as Berks Catholic 2025 Distinguished Alumni Recipient

For Immediate Release Reading, Pa. – Barley Snyder is proud to announce that partner Kevin A. Moore has been recognized as ...

Learn More
News Alert
October 3, 2025

Government Shutdown Suspends E-Verify

As of October 1, 2025, a federal government shutdown has resulted in lapses in funding for certain agencies, including U.S. C...

Learn More
News Alert
September 22, 2025

New $100,000 Fee for H-1B Visa Petitions 

On September 19, 2025, President Trump issued a proclamation titled Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers. Th...

Learn More

Other Upcoming Events

View All Upcoming Events
Oct
14
2:30 pm
-
6:00 pm
event
Location

2025 Harrisburg Business Seminar

Learn More
Oct
30
2:30 pm
-
6:00 pm
event
Location

2025 Lancaster Business Seminar

Learn More
Nov
12
2:30 pm
-
6:00 pm
event
Location

2025 Reading Business Seminar

Learn More

Get in Touch

Our attorneys, paralegals and staff look forward to hearing from you. Please reach out to let us know how we can help.

Get In Touch
RECOGNIZED IN
Super Lawyers
Best Law Firms US News
Best Lawyers