NYT: Union Gets New Election At a Target

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/22/business/new-union-vote-ordered-at-target-store-in-valley-stream-ny.html?_r=2&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

By STEVEN GREENHOUSE
Published: May 21, 2012

A federal judge on Monday set aside an unsuccessful unionization election at the Target store in Valley Stream, N.Y., and ordered a new vote, finding that Target managers had intimidated workers and violated federal labor laws.

Steven Davis, an administrative law judge with the National Labor Relations Board, said in a decision that the election, which was held last June, should be set aside because of what he said were Target’s numerous unfair labor practices. Workers voted 137 to 85 against joining the United Food and Commercial Workers Union in the election, which sought to make the Valley Stream store the first unionized Target in the nation.

Judge Davis found, among other things, that Target managers had barred employees from wearing union buttons and distributing fliers, had improperly threatened to discipline employees who discussed union matters and had unlawfully threatened to close the store if the workers voted to unionize.

Molly Snyder, a Target spokeswoman, said, “Target is disappointed in the N.L.R.B. judge’s ruling, and we respectfully disagree with the judge’s decision.”

FULL story at link.