New Case Deveopment's at the NLRB for 8-18-25
Key NLRB Updates (as of August 18, 2025)
1. State Labor Boards Likely Preempted by Federal Authority
A senior NLRB official, Acting General Counsel William Cowen, has warned that proposals in at least three states—including New York, California, and Massachusetts—to regulate private-sector labor relations in the absence of an NLRB quorum are likely preempted by the National Labor Relations Act, which vests exclusive jurisdiction in the NLRB. The NLRB continues to operate, though without a full quorum, and judges these state efforts as likely invalid under federal law.Reuters
2. Acting GC Issues Guidance on Deferring ULP Charges to Grievance Processes (GC Memorandum 25-10)
On August 7, 2025, the Acting General Counsel released GC Memo 25-10, offering new guidance on when unfair labor practice (ULP) charges can be deferred to grievance and arbitration procedures rather than pursued directly before the NLRB. It clarifies use of:
- Dubo deferral (if a grievance exists and the ULP can likely be resolved via the CBA grievance process), and
- Collyer deferral (when no grievance has yet been filed, but deferral might still be appropriate).
Cowen emphasized the need to conserve the NLRB's limited resources during a period of staffing shortages and growing caseload.JD Supraonlabor.org
3. NLRB Sharpening Focus on “Union Salting” Tactics
On July 24, 2025, the Acting GC issued updated guidance concerning union salting—the practice where organizers seek employment with non-union employers to facilitate organizing. The new guidance tightens scrutiny on how these cases will be handled, including evaluating whether organizers have a genuine interest in the work or are solely trying to provoke organizing.JD Supra
4. Federal Courts Advance Key Labor Law Issues Amid NLRB Quorum Void
Although the NLRB itself hasn’t issued precedential rulings in 2025 due to quorum issues, federal appellate courts have continued shaping labor law:
- D.C. Circuit (Grove v. NLRB): Vacated an NLRB impasse ruling, emphasizing the need for objective evidence in impasse determinations rather than relying on a union’s denial.Labor Relations Update
- Fourth Circuit (Welch): Validated vigorous union advocacy—including leafleting and litigation support—as protected activity under the NLRA.Labor Relations Update
Also of note: the Supreme Court recently declined to review a Ninth Circuit decision regarding dues checkoff, leaving lower federal court deference to NLRB interpretations reduced in the wake of Loper Bright. Labor Relations Update
5. No New Published NLRB Board Decisions This Week (Week of August 4–8, 2025)
The weekly summary for early August shows no published Board decisions, though several decisions were issued by Administrative Law Judges in various cases (e.g., Amazon, Envision Hospice, Twin City Tanning).National Labor Relations Board
6. Agency Facing Budget and Staffing Cuts—A Threat to Enforcement
Democratic lawmakers have issued warnings that recent budget cuts and office closures (in cities like Buffalo, Memphis, Los Angeles, and others) could severely impair the NLRB’s ability to enforce labor rights. These changes have been labeled “catastrophic” by critics and union representatives alike.The Guardian
7. NLRB Status Still in Quorum Limbo
The NLRB continues to function without a quorum, largely stalling any new precedential actions this year. While Acting GC Cowen remains in place, the Board’s full reconstitution depends on pending nominations and ongoing litigation over previous removals.Bloomberg LawWikipedia
8. If your firm need any assistance relating to the above NLRB updates or any other labor relations issues please contact, Sanford Rudnick JD at 1-800-326-3046 or www.theunionexpert.com
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