NLRB's Anti-Union E-mail Ruling a 'Gift,' Union-Buster Tells Managers

Corporate America is positively giddy over the NLRB's decision last month to let companies bar employees from using work e-mail accounts to communicate about union business.

"Take this gift from the NLRB and use it well in the coming year," union-bashing management consultant Walter Orechwa is telling his clients. "Complacency will open the door very wide for union organizers. This is one resolution with which I hope everyone can stick."

Orechwa's pitch cautions employers about any "direct solicitation" by union organizers, calling it the "best shot at convincing non-union employees they should join up today.  The most effective method of curbing direct or on-the-job solicitation is to create—and strictly enforce—a no-solicitation, no-distribution policy."

The AFL-CIO reports that Orechwa's Atlanta-based company specializes in anti-worker propaganda that includes "union-avoidance" videos such as "Supervisors Can Keep You Union Free" and flyers describing organizing campaigns as a "Declaration of War."