2024: A Pivotal Year for U.S. Labor Relations
2024 saw a surge in union organizing efforts following victories by the United Auto Workers (UAW), Teamsters, and Hollywood actors and writers. Meanwhile, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) witnessed a 3% increase in union petitions and a 10% increase in unfair labor practices during the 2023 federal fiscal year. However, Congress failed to reach a consensus on union-related legislation.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Glacier Northwest v. Teamsters that unions may face penalties for damaging employer property during strikes. This decision, along with significant labor strikes and NLRB decisions, significantly impacted labor relations in 2023.
Hollywood actors and writers ended their strikes in late 2023, reaching agreements on compensation and residuals. In 2024, the NLRB made decisions finding that certain employee rules relating to personal conduct, conflicts of interest, and confidentiality of harassment complaints violated the National Labor Relations Act. The NLRB also changed rules for union recognition, requiring employers to either recognize a union or file a petition for a union election upon request.
Michigan made headlines by repealing its right-to-work law in February 2024, becoming the first state to do so in nearly 60 years.
The year 2024 marked a significant period for labor relations in the U.S. with increased organizing efforts, legal changes, and a historic repeal of a right-to-work law. These developments highlight the evolving landscape of worker rights and employer-employee relations.
