San Francisco’s Nick Geannacopulos Quoted in The Recorder
“Labor Lawyers Gear Up for NLRB Changes”

In a recent article in The Recorder, Labor and Employment partner Nick Geannacopulos commented on a string of decisions by the National Labor Relations Board that management is largely viewing as part of a pro-labor agenda by the Obama administration.

One such issue, Nick said, was the NLRB’s inclination to revisit issues of access to private property by nonemployees. Nick pointed to a move in November to request briefs in a case involving nonemployee access to the sidewalks and parking lots of a retailer in Milwaukee. According to the article, the board had ruled November 12 that the company, Roundy's Supermarkets Inc., illegally prohibited handbilling in front of its Pick'n Save stores. The board said it would be reconsidering the larger question of employers allowing various types of other organizations on its property while keeping out organizers. "If unions get access to private property, that provides tremendous leverage for certain rights, including bargaining," Nick said. "I think that's one area where the board will be aggressive."

Nick also told The Recorder that he's been doling out more conservative advice this year. "You have to do your due diligence," he said. "You can no longer rely on law that came down under the Bush board."