NYC’s largest homeless youth nonprofit has spent 4 years fighting its own workers’ union. A federal judge issued an injunction and by all accounts, they’re violating it. A contempt motion is pending. Meanwhile the workers making $18/hour are still waiting for a first contract.

The Teamsters Union has reached an agreement with United Airlines, covering 11,000 mechanics nationwide.

When we stand together as Teamsters, anything is possible.

I know if you vote to decertify a union, that there is a waiting period of a year before initiation of a new union.

What is the rule if a union elects to drop a bargaining unit though? Can they immediately attempt to certify a new unionization effort or must they wait?

Ontario, Canada

I'm a Steward. In our small, 25 person, unit there is the unit chairperson and me. My spouse is also in the unit. A year after I became steward the Union President declared to me, via email, that representing my spouse is a conflict of interest. I'm confused as to where the conflict is. Here's the text of the email:

"Having a spouse or family member representing is a conflict of interest.

A spouse has a personal and emotional interest in the outcome. It’s natural to want to protect your partner, which could effect fairness or impartiality  

Even if the spouse tries to be fair, others may perceive bias, which can undermine the credibility of the meeting. 

Having a family member represent could turn the meeting into a personal dispute, increase emotional tension and even complicate legal liability if it is taken. 

If there is a valid reason why your spouse would NOT want Union chairperson to represent her in a meeting then your spouse could take another member in as a witness. I do not recommend doing this but is allowed with valid reason. Another member has not had training or sworn in and may breach confidentiality and if taken further they may not take proper notes etc. "

Can anyone translate the above for me? Sounds ki a weak to me.

Also, there IS a very valid reason why she doesn't want the chairperson representing her in a meeting....the chair is very VERY friendly to management. So everyone in the unit has two choices for representation, except my spouse.