Marshall Babson Quoted in BNA Daily Labor Report
"NLRB Opens Hearing on Election Rules; Debate Centers on Need for Amendments"

Seyfarth Shaw New York Labor & Employment partner Marshall Babson was quoted in BNA's Daily Labor Report on July 18. The article discussed a recent hearing of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) which addressed the board's proposed amendment of its regulations for representation case proceedings and whether the NLRB rules required updating or revising.

Sixty-three speakers attended the meeting, and while the proposed rules received substantial support, many individuals disagreed on the basic question of whether any changes to NLRB's procedures or rules should be made. While some argued that expedited proceeding would give unions a chance for "quickie" or "ambush" elections, others praised the rulemaking proposal as a possible means for closing procedural loopholes, helping thwart those wishing to purposefully prolong or end an election.

Marshall urged the board to consider "the two-headed nature" of the National Labor Relations Act, stressing the need to balance a policy of preferring quick resolution of representation issues with the interests of parties in free speech and educated choice.