labor lawAdivision of labor law center

In one of his first official acts, President Barack Obama signed 3 executive orders reversing employment policies introduced under the Bush administration.

The executive orders reversed Republican policies that many Democrats considered anti-union. However, employers argue that these new policies will further hamper employers – especially federal contractors – trying to compete financially in a tight market.

The new policies require federal contractors to inform employees of their rights to form unions. They also require federal contractors to offer jobs to current workers when contracts change, and make it more difficult for employers to discourage union activities, according to the New York Times.

Under one of the executive orders, when a government service contract expires and there is a new contract to perform the same services at the same location, the new contractor has to retain the old workers. Proponents point out that keeping trained, experienced workers (more…)