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Dive into the complete episode list for Union Free Radio. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.

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TitlePub. DateDuration
Union Free Radio, S.2 Ep. 3: Is Card Check Here? An Interview With LRI's Phil Wilson24 Jan 202200:56:28
Back-door card check is on its way this year, says Labor Relations Institute's Phil Wilson. Last August (2021), the National Labor Relations Board's General Counsel, Jennifer A. Abruzzo, sent a lengthy memo to all NLRB regions seeking cases from its regions to submit specific types of cases to her for advice.
Among the many types of cases that General Counsel Abruzzo is seeking are cases which would lead to the imposition of what is known as "card check," which would eliminate most secret-ballot elections over the topic of unionization. "Cases in which an employer refuses to recognize and bargain with a union where the union presents evidence of a card majority, but where the employer is unable to establish a good faith doubt as to majority status; specifically, where the employer refusing to recognize has either engaged in unfair labor practices or where the employer is unable to explain its reason for doubting majority status in rejecting the union’s demand. See Joy Silk Mills, Inc., 85 NLRB 1263 (1949)." [See below under: Employer duty to recognize and/or bargain, on page 7.]
In this episode of Union Free Radio, host Peter List speaks with Phil Wilson of the Labor Relations Institute (LRI) about card check and a number of other labor relations issues employers are facing under the Biden NLRB.
Articles and Resources Mentioned On This Episode
Union Free Radio, Ep. 1: Five Reasons People Hate The PRO Act14 Jan 202200:26:34
The PRO Act being pushed by unions and their allies is a dangerously bad bill that threatens jobs, companies and America’s Free Enterprise system. Here’s why: Unions and their Democratic Party allies–like the Democratic Socialists of America–are pushing Congress to enact the so-called “Protecting the Right to Organize Act,” which President Biden has vowed to sign. The bill is a massive rewrite of U.S. labor and employment laws that threatens jobs and job creators, as well as the American Free Enterprise system. In this episode of Union Free Radio, LaborUnionReport.com editor Peter List explains the top five reasons why the PRO Act is so bad. Articles cited in this episode: FACTS ABOUT THE SO-CALLED “PRO” ACT – PROActFacts.org 61% of Small Businesses Say PRO Act Will Destroy Their Business – Small Business Trends It’s MAYDAY for the PRO Act!!, Democratic Socialists of America, Facebook Meet PRO Act legislation threatens franchise small businesses PRO Act for a Green New Deal – Workers and the World Unite Sydney Ghazarian – KeyWiki Counting the number of businesses in the United States
Union Free Radio, Ep. 11: Labor Disputes Are (Unofficially) Up. Here Are Facts That Every Employer & Employee Should Know30 Jul 202100:24:55

<h3><strong>“A union’s bargaining power depends on three main elements: The right to strike, the ability to strike effectively, and the company’s ability to withstand a strike.” -- Teamster Strike Manual</strong></h3><!--more-->

Since the end of the government lockdowns, work stoppages are (<a href="https://paydayreport.com/payday-track-its-1400th-strike-as-retail-worker-rebellion-grows/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">unoffcially</a>) on the rise.

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In this episode of Union Free Radio, host Peter List walks listeners through the more technical aspects of the different types of labor disputes--both union and non-union--from strikes and lockouts, as well as non-union employees' Section Seven Rights when it comes to strikes.

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<strong>Links to articles and references used in this episode of Union Free Radio:</strong>

<ul>

<li><A href='https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-may-01-me-passings1.2-story.html'>John Morris, 76; Led Philadelphia Teamsters for 44 Years Till Ouster</A></li>

<li><A href='https://www.nytimes.com/1993/12/12/weekinreview/conversations-john-p-morris-disillusioned-teamster-boss-doubts-even-he-can-save.html'>Conversations: John P. Morris; A Disillusioned Teamster Boss Doubts Even He Can Save Labor</A></li>

<li><A href='https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/activision-blizzard-workers-walk-sexual-harassment-lawsuit-rcna1525'>Activision Blizzard workers walk out after sexual harassment lawsuit</A></li>

<li><A href='https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/jul/28/union-advocates-rally-striking-alabama-coalminers'>Union advocates rally in New York to support striking Alabama coalminers</A></li>

<li><A href='https://www.bls.gov/wsp/'>BLS: Work Stoppages Home Page</A></li>

<li><A href='https://www.bls.gov/news.release/wkstp.nr0.htm'>BLS: In 2020 there were 8 major work stoppages, the third lowest number since 1947</A></li>

<li><A href='https://paydayreport.com/payday-track-its-1400th-strike-as-retail-worker-rebellion-grows/'>Payday Tracks Its 1,400th Strike as "Retail Worker Rebellion" Grows</A></li>

<li><A href='https://definitions.uslegal.com/l/labor-dispute/'>Labor Dispute Law and Legal Definition | USLegal, Inc.</A></li>

<li><A href='https://www.hrzone.com/hr-glossary/what-is-a-work-stoppage'>What is a Work Stoppage? | HRZone</A></li>

<li><A href='https://www.dictionary.com/browse/strike'>Strike | Definition of Strike at Dictionary.com</A></li>

<li><A href='https://www.nlrb.gov/about-nlrb/rights-we-protect/our-enforcement-activity/protected-concerted-activity'>NLRB: Protected Concerted Activity</A></li>

<li><a href="https://www.nlrb.gov/sites/default/files/attachments/pages/node-184/basicguide.pdf" rel="noopener" target="_blank">NLRB | A Basic Guide to the National Labor Relations Act (PDF)</a></li>

<li><A href='https://roanoke.com/news/local/experts-uaw-and-volvo-face-risks-in-current-contract-impasse/article_1fac614c-e34c-11eb-a412-4310a7fb2979.html'>Experts: UAW and Volvo face risks in current contract impasse</A></li>

<li><A href='https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/07/20/vrfc-j20.html'>Volvo workers issue statement: “Where we are, what we’ve gone through and what’s next in our struggle”</A></li>

<ul>

Union Free Radio, Ep. 10: With 'Just Cause' Laws, Unions Continue Legislating Themselves Obsolete06 Jul 202100:23:32
'Why buy the cow, when you can get the milk for free?' On July 4, 2021, New York City's "Just Cause Law" took effect for fast-food operators and their employees.
Although many employers may be concerned these types of laws will spread to other municipalities or states, that may not necessarily be a bad thing.
In this episode of Union Free Radio, host Peter List unravels the history of "employment at will," the mystery of "Just Cause Discipline," as well as "Progressive Discipline," and explains how New York City's new law may actually hurt, rather than help, today's unions.
"Once The State, or 'Big Brother,' is mandating wages and 'fair treatment,'" List asks, "how many workers will voluntarily give a portion of their paychecks to advocacy group—or unions?"
Links to articles and sources cited in this podcast:
Union Free Radio, Ep. 9: A PRO Act Update–Unions, White House Appear To Be Pivoting To ‘Plan B’19 Jun 202100:16:21

Links to Articles referenced in this episode of Union Free Radio: For prior episodes of Union Free Radio, go here.

Déjà Vu: With the poisonous PRO Act stalled in the U.S. Senate, the White House and union bosses appear to be turning to ‘Plan B’ and preparing a ‘slew’ of executive actions to help unions.

After passing in the U.S. House of Representatives in February, the unions’ holy grail—the Protecting the Right to Organize Act (aka the PRO Act)—appears to be dying a slow death in the U.S. Senate.

Just as it happened ten years ago when the hallucinogenically-named Employee Free Choice Act died in the Senate, the unions had a back-up plan (‘Plan B’).

In this episode of Union Free Radio, host Peter List explains where the PRO Act sits in Washington right now, how its being held up, as well as the unions’ ‘Plan B’ and its ramifications on business owners, human resources, as well as the 59 million independent contractors in the U.S.

Union Free Radio, Ep. 8: Five Types Of Union Corruption That Hurts All Union Members15 Jun 202100:26:14

“There is no odor so bad as that which arises from goodness tainted.” — Henry David Thoreau

Not all unions are corrupt, but most unions have some people who are corrupt.

Today, the Department of Labor’s Office of Labor Management Standards is planning to do a “public outreach” campaign to let the public know that unions are not as corrupt as they tend to seem.

That’s all well and good. 

However, with the recent sentencing of two former United Auto Workers presidents to prison in the last two months, union corruption is alive and well–and, in the case of the UAW, it is union members who will be paying the price for years to come.

In this episode of Union Free Radio, host Peter List talks about the five basic types of union corruption and shares examples of each.


Articles and links mentioned discussed in this episode of Union Free Radio: For more links and prior episodes of Union Free Radio, go here.
Union Free Radio, Ep. 7: How To Talk To Union-Free Employees About Unions08 Jun 202100:22:42
“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” — Benjamin Franklin All too often, employers are afraid to talk to their employees about unions. However, talking with employees about unions is NOT unlawful, as long as it is done legally and carefully. Here’s how…

For many union-free employers around the nation, talking to their employees about unions can be an angst-ridden decision.

However, it does not need to be.

Union-Free employers DO have a legal right to talk to employees about unions, as long as they Don’t S.P.I.T.—that is, DO NOT spy on employees, make promises to employees, interrogate employees, or threaten employees.

In this episode of Union Free Radio, LaborUnionReport.com editor and UFR host Peter List shares what is commonly known as the basic 'DOs & Don'ts' of engaging with employees about unions and labor law (see Legal Disclaimer below), as well as some practical pointers.

Legal Disclaimer: Past performance may not be indicative of future results. Nothing on Union Free Radio should be contrued or misconstrued to constitute legal advice. All Union Free Radio listeners should consult with their attorneys. Due to various factors, including changing laws, administrative agency rulings, or court judgments, the advice given on this podcast should be viewed as informal, not formal advice.

Related articles and materials in this post:

Union Free Radio, Ep. 6: Unions Need Amazon More Than Amazon Workers Need A Union01 Jun 202100:16:04
As unions like the Teamsters continue to target Amazon, it has become increasingly clear that Unions Need Amazon More Than Amazon Workers Need A Union.

'It’s not you, it’s us…'

Beyond the RWDSU’s recent debacle trying to unionize thousands of Amazon workers in Bessemer, Alabama, it is becoming increasingly clear that unions need Amazon more than Amazon workers need unions.

In this episode of Union Free Radio, host Peter List gives context as to why unions are so threatened by Amazon and its union-free status

Articles cited in this episode, as well as other resources:
Union Free Radio, Ep. 5: Here’s A Simple, Six-Step Recipe To Stay Union Free25 May 202100:24:25
The Biden Administration's focus on helping unions organize employers has many HR professionals and small business owners looking for tips on remaining union free. Here is a simple six-step recipe. Since January, there has been a sea change in the federal government's approach to labor relations.
In this episode of Union Free Radio, host Peter List shares a simple six step recipe for remaining union free for human resource professionals, small business owners and anyone who carries the title “manager or supervisor."
"None of this is rocket science," List states, "in fact, it's mostly common sense. And, if you follow this simple recipe, it should greatly diminish the chances of a union organizer gaining a toehold into your workplace."

Articles and resources cited in this episode:

Union Free Radio, Ep. 4: Here's Everything You Need To Know About The PRO Act's 'ABC Test' & Why Millions Are Worried20 May 202100:26:46
With California's passage of AB5, union-backed politicians took aim at companies like Uber and Lyft--and missed...Now, though, the 57 million Americans who make up America's 'gig economy' may ultimately pay the price with the poisonous PRO Act. Following a listener's question about the onerous 'ABC Test' contained in the poisonous PRO Act, Union Free Radio host Peter List takes listeners on a deep-dive of what the ABC Test is, and how it could devastate the 57 million Americans who comprise the 'gig economy.'
  • Click here for past episodes of Union Free Radio.
Articles cited in this episode (and other resources): For more links referenced in this episode, go to LaborUnionReport.com's Union Free Radio.
Union Free Radio, Ep. 3: What employees don’t know about unions might hurt them17 May 202100:14:16

Today’s lack of institutional memory in our society is dangerous for employees and their employers.

In this episode of Union Free Radio, host Peter List addresses society’s general lack of knowledge about today’s unions and how it is dangerous for both employees and their employers.

“Unless they work for a really crappy employer,” List states, “if employees know the truth about unions, their history and how they work, as well as the rights they already have, most will decide they don’t want a union.”

“Most employees today,” List continued, “until they learn the hard way, don’t know that unions are legally allowed to overpromise in order to unionize them and legally allowed to underdeliver once they’ve succeeded in unionizing them.”

Articles cited in this episode:

Union Free Radio, Ep. 2: Sorry, Joe, Unions Did NOT Build The Middle Class14 May 202100:21:16
When President Biden proclaimed recently that “unions built the middle class,” he was repeating one of unions’ biggest myths. Although unions--like a hitchiker--were along for the ride, they were not the driving force that built the middle class.

In this episode of Union Free Radio, host Peter List dispels the union myth that “unions built the middle class,” by giving listeners the logic, and the data, that proves the myth false.

“You know,” List states, “the bad part about blindly accepting a myth like this is that it gives unions a free pass in order to push bad bills, like the poisonous PRO Act.”

Articles and sources cited:

Union Free Radio, S2, Ep. 2: Associated Builders & Contractors’ Ben Brubeck Talks About Vax Mandates, Build Back Better, PLAs & Much More13 Jan 202201:00:32
A wide-ranging discussion with Ben Brubeck of the Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC), one of the largest trade associations for merit-shop construction contractors and their employees.
The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) is a national construction industry trade association representing more than 21,000 members, mostly small union-free contractors and their employees, with 69 chapters nationwide.
In this hour-long, wide-ranging discussion, Ben Brubeck, ABC's Vice President of Regulatory, Labor and State affairs, discusses ABC's position on a host of topics, such as vaccine mandates, infrastructure, Build Back Better, the Davis-Bacon Act, Project Labor Agreements, apprenticeship programs and more.
Click here for prior episodes of Union Free Radio.
Union Free Radio, S2, E1: With “Micro Units,” Coming, the NLRB Is About To Make HR’s Job Much Harder (Again)06 Jan 202200:32:21
The NLRB is going to re-institute "Micro Units." Here's what you need to know... Labor law in the United States (under the National Labor Relations Board) swings like a pendulum whenever the political party controlling the White House changes.
With the PRO Act stalled in Congress and President Biden vowing to be "the most pro-union President in American history," his appointees at the National Labor Relations Board are working full time to fulfill his vow, signaling a host of changes that will make it more difficult for employers and their employees to remain union-free.
One such change is the likely return to "micro units".
In this episode of Union Free Radio, host Peter List provides the definition to such labor relations concepts as "bargaining units," "community of interest," as well as the background to "micro units" and why they are bad for both employers and unions.
Articles and resources cited in this episode:
Union Free Radio, Ep. 17: What The Kellogg Strikers Actually Lost27 Dec 202100:27:09
Unions and their allies are calling the Kellogg strike a "win." But, is it? The 11-week Kellogg strike is over. However, while the union movement is calling it a "win," some strikers and some reporters are questioning whether the strike was, in fact, a "win" or a failure.
In this last episode of Union Free Radio for 2021, host Peter List walks listeners through the main-reported issues of the strike, as well as how much strikers potentially lost.
Articles and resources cited in this episode:
Union Free Radio, Ep. 16: A Step-By-Step On How Workers Can Decertify An Unwanted Union03 Dec 202100:31:08

Despite the fact that over 90% of employees in unions today never voted to unionize, unions spend millions of dollars bankrolling union organizers and politicians to put more people into unions.


However, there are very few resources for employees to learn how to kick an unwanted union out of their workplace---and employers are legally forbidden to help them.


In this episode of Union Free Radio, in addition to providing listeners a step-by-step "how-to" guide to decertify unions, host Peter List walks listeners through the decertification process and some of the legal terminology---from Election Bars and Contract Bars to Blocking Charges---that is important for employees to understand if they are interested in decertification.

"If you say you believe in the Freedom of Association or the right to join a particular organization (like a group, a social club, a political party, or a union), you’ve also got to believe in its concomitant, which is the Freedom to Disassociate from that organization." List states. "If you don’t, you’re nothing more than a hypocrite."


Articles and resources cited in this episode: For other episodes of Union Free Radio, click here.

WARNING: This is for employees only. This is NOT for management
Union Free Radio, Ep. 15: The Hidden Origins Of The Fight For $15 Movement & Its Impact10 Oct 202100:35:05

Although many people are aware of the "Fight for $15" campaign, most probably do not know that it was never intended to be about merely raising the minimum wage.
The genesis of the entire campaign was designed in 2009 by the SEIU---or Service Employees International Union---as a way to unionize millions of the nation's fast-food workers.
In fact, the actual $15 per hour figure was arbitrarily picked---almost as an afterthought---only two months before the first astroturf protest in 2012.
In this episode of Union Free Radio, host Peter List explains the history of the SEIU's Fight for $15 campaign, as well as its aftermath and how it is affecting the economy following the 2020 crash.
Articles and resources cited in this episode:

Union Free Radio, Ep. 14: When Unions Lie, Employee Free Choice Dies14 Sep 202100:17:04
Unions are legally allowed to lie to workers when unionizing them. Why? According to National Labor Relations Board doctrine, "Employees are generally able to understand that a union cannot obtain benefits automatically by winning an election but must seek to achieve them through collective bargaining."
In this episode of Union Free Radio, host Peter List explores the legal background of unions deceiving workers, as well as ponders the question: Instead of Congress and the NLRB looking at ways to make it easier for unions to unionize workers through deception, shouldn't Congress should really be considering a bill to require unions to be more honest with workers?
There is a Truth in Lending Act; there are all kinds of consumer protection laws…
Why not a Truth in Union Organizing Act?
Articles and resources cited in this episode:
For other episodes of Union Free Radio, click here.
Union Free Radio, Ep 13: SSDD—The AFL-CIO’s New President, Renaming the PRO Act & The Truth About CEO Pay24 Aug 202100:16:52

<h3><strong>Last week, the nation's union bosses selected a new AFL-CIO president. For those who were hoping for a union movement that is less reliant on politics, it doesn’t appear that’s going to be happening anytime soon</strong></h3><!--more-->

Last Friday, the AFL-CIO Executive Council---the 'board of directors' for the nation's largest union federation---selected Secretary-Treasurer Elizabeth Shuler to replace Richard Trumka, who died earlier this month from an apparent heart attack.

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By choosing Shuler and, as well based on her first interview, the federation signaled its continuation of focusing on political outcomes, as opposed to 'self reliance.'

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In this episode of Union Free Radio, host Peter List covers Shuler's stated direction for the union federation, as well as covers how AFL-CIO misleads the public about CEO Pay.

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<strong>For prior episodes of Union Free Radio, go <a href="https://laborunionreport.com/category/union-free-radio/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">here</a>.</strong>

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<strong>Links to articles and sources cited in this podcast:</strong>

<ul> <li><A href='https://laborunionreport.com/2021/08/11/peter-list-kulture-union-free-radio-ep-12-trumkas-successor-vaccine-mandates/'>Union Free Radio, Ep. 12: Richard Trumka's Successor & Vaccine Mandates</A></li>

<li><A href='https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/08/20/liz-shuler-elected-afl-cios-first-woman-president/'>Liz Shuler elected as AFL-CIO’s first woman president - The Washington Post</A></li>

<li><A href='https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-08-20/afl-cio-s-shuler-says-priority-is-overhaul-of-u-s-labor-laws'>AFL-CIO’s Shuler Says Priority Is Overhaul of U.S. Labor Laws - Bloomberg</A></li>

<li><A href='https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/22/us/politics/biden-democrats-afghanistan-virus-midterms.html'>As Biden Faces a Political Crisis, His Party Looks On in Alarm - The New York Times</A></li>

<li><A href='https://laborunionreport.com/2021/07/19/fact-top-afl-cio-union-fat-cats-rake-in-more-than-average-ceos-in-u-s/'>FACT: Top AFL-CIO Union Fat Cats Rake In More Than Average CEOs In U.S.</A></li></ul>

Union Free Radio, Ep. 12: Richard Trumka’s Successor & Vaccine Mandates11 Aug 202100:28:28
The unexpected death of AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka comes at an interesting time for unions, as they stand at a 'crossroads' and grapple with vaccine mandates in the American workplace. AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka died suddenly last Thursday.
Rather than focus on Richard Trumka's long history as a union leader, in this episode of Union Free Radio, host Peter List discusses who might replace Trumka and the "crossroads" the union movement now finds itself.

Additionally, List covers the topic of mandatory vaccines policies (aka Get Jabbed or Get Fired)---which was one of Trumka's last public statements on the labor federation's position---and the ramifications of unions acquiescing to mandatory vaccine policies.
For prior episodes of Union Free Radio, go here. Links to articles and sources cited in this podcast: More here.
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