SEIU(harassing) Accompanying OSHA on Site Inspections Nonunion Businesses

[bripat9643]

This could easily happen, disgruntled employees and ex-employees pull this kind of nonsense all the time, they make completely bogus claims just to spark an investigation.

And have the seiu accompany them for their inspections, whether union shop or not, I can see this as an intimidation factor. It should not be legal.

It isn't legal. It's called trespassing. The business owners would never voluntarily allow SEIU personal to enter their business.

 

[depotoo]

Roby vows to explore troubling allegations that labor unions are teaming up with OSHA - Yellowhammer News

“Union representatives from the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) are now accompanying federal government safety inspectors on site visits to review labor complaints at nonunion private businesses,” Howley wrote. “SEIU and other labor unions can accompany the government inspectors on site visits due to a quiet and contested Obama administration rule clarification issued last year in response to a request from a union representative.”One of Rep. Roby’s oversight areas on the House Appropriations Committee is the Labor Department. A spokesperson for Roby told Yellowhammer News that they are researching the issue and would likely have more to say in the coming days.

 

[OKTexas]

If you read the story, the three sites in Houston the building owners refused entry to the SEIU reps, which they was within their rights. Like Nancy Reagan said, just say no.

 

[depotoo]

But OSHA’s decision to target southern auto manufacturers does not appear to contain a data-driven explanation, leading to speculation that it’s another hat tip to the unions who have grown frustrated by their inability to gain a toehold in southern states.In a*letter to Labor Secretary Thomas Perez, Rep. Martha Roby, R-AL02, is asking what reason OSHA has to single out auto manufacturers in the South for special scrutiny. If the auto industry is especially hazardous, where is the data? And why focus on Southern facilities and not those in Michigan or Ohio?“OSHA’s recently released REP is troubling…” Roby writes. “It calls for ‘comprehensive safety inspections’ for all members of the ‘Auto Parts Supplier Industry’ covered by OSHA’s ‘Atlanta East, Atlanta West, Birmingham, Mobile, and Jackson’ offices. Auto Parts Suppliers outside of the Southeast are not impacted. While many other regional notices provide quantitative data demonstrating a pattern of workplace industries that might justify such a targeted program, the REP in question provides only that ‘hazards associated with the Auto Parts Supplier Industry that are the focus of this REP continue to be the source of serious injuries, including amputations, and deaths to employees.’ This statement is presented without support.”Roby also asks in the letter about the*aforementioned reports of an OSHA rule change allowing union representatives to accompany OSHA agents*on inspections of non-union facilities.“This practice is troubling,” wrote Roby. “In effect, OSHA appears to have unilaterally determined that organized labor representatives — union reps associated with neither the employees of the business nor the government — may participate in formal government inspections of private businesses on private property. This significant and highly questionable policy was reportedly made not through a formal rulemaking and public comment process, but rather in response to a union inquiry.”Roby plans to further question Secretary Perez on Wednesday during his scheduled testimony before the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee.
Roby demands OSHA explain its targeting of southern auto manufacturers - Yellowhammer News

 

[depotoo]

And now they are targeting southern autoparts suppliers. Roby is inquring ab8ut both items now.

 

[depotoo]

Thanks. Looks like they are being questioned on other odd moves they are making.

 

[depotoo]

I wonder how many places they have succeeded in being allowed in to?

 

[depotoo]

Thanks. Looks like they are being questioned on other odd moves they are making.

If you read the story, the three sites in Houston the building owners refused entry to the SEIU reps, which they was within their rights. Like Nancy Reagan said, just say no.

 

[WinterBorn]

This could easily happen, disgruntled employees and ex-employees pull this kind of nonsense all the time, they make completely bogus claims just to spark an investigation.

And have the seiu accompany them for their inspections, whether union shop or not, I can see this as an intimidation factor. It should not be legal.

It isn't legal. It's called trespassing. The business owners would never voluntarily allow SEIU personal to enter their business.

The problem is that OSHA showing up to do an inspection scares the hell out of the business. While OSHA is a good thing, even the inspectors don't always know what is legal and what is not. On 3 separate occasions I have been at a table with 3 or 4 OSHA inspectors and asked a question. Each time the inspectors disagreed with each other.

If the inspector wants the union guy with him, the business owner is likely to go along to avoid angering the inspector.

Most major businesses know that the inspector can gig them if they want. It is like the inspections by the fire marshall.

 

[depotoo]

And have the seiu accompany them for their inspections, whether union shop or not, I can see this as an intimidation factor. It should not be legal.

It isn't legal. It's called trespassing. The business owners would never voluntarily allow SEIU personal to enter their business.

The problem is that OSHA showing up to do an inspection scares the hell out of the business. While OSHA is a good thing, even the inspectors don't always know what is legal and what is not. On 3 separate occasions I have been at a table with 3 or 4 OSHA inspectors and asked a question. Each time the inspectors disagreed with each other.

If the inspector wants the union guy with him, the business owner is likely to go along to avoid angering the inspector.

Most major businesses know that the inspector can gig them if they want. It is like the inspections by the fire marshall.

That is my thoughts. If they show up with OSHA , particularly when the owner or manager isn't there, how will they know they can turn seiu away?

 

[WinterBorn]

It isn't legal. It's called trespassing. The business owners would never voluntarily allow SEIU personal to enter their business.

The problem is that OSHA showing up to do an inspection scares the hell out of the business. While OSHA is a good thing, even the inspectors don't always know what is legal and what is not. On 3 separate occasions I have been at a table with 3 or 4 OSHA inspectors and asked a question. Each time the inspectors disagreed with each other.

If the inspector wants the union guy with him, the business owner is likely to go along to avoid angering the inspector.

Most major businesses know that the inspector can gig them if they want. It is like the inspections by the fire marshall.

That is my thoughts. If they show up with OSHA , particularly when the owner or manager isn't there, how will they know they can turn seiu away?

The OSHA Inspector will present his credentials and the other person standing there will just be assumed to be with him. No one will push the OSHA guy.

 

[depotoo]

The problem is that OSHA showing up to do an inspection scares the hell out of the business. While OSHA is a good thing, even the inspectors don't always know what is legal and what is not. On 3 separate occasions I have been at a table with 3 or 4 OSHA inspectors and asked a question. Each time the inspectors disagreed with each other.

If the inspector wants the union guy with him, the business owner is likely to go along to avoid angering the inspector.

Most major businesses know that the inspector can gig them if they want. It is like the inspections by the fire marshall.

That is my thoughts. If they show up with OSHA , particularly when the owner or manager isn't there, how will they know they can turn seiu away?

The OSHA Inspector will present his credentials and the other person standing there will just be assumed to be with him. No one will push the OSHA guy.

Exactly, you don't mess with OSHA and I assume that is their thought process. Get in, make contact with an employee or two, stir the waters. All under the auspices of a safety inspection.

 

[The Professor]

This is the best I can do:

“The law says that a representative authorized by workers has a right to accompany the inspection. This applies whether you requested an inspection or to an OSHA scheduled inspection. Under no circumstances may the employer choose the workers' representative. The OSHA complaint form does not include a line to indicate who this representative is (or who an alternate is for other shifts or days off). Make sure you provide this information with your complaint.

“OSHA finds it easier to identify an employee representative in union workplaces, where the union picks the representative. This representative must be an actual employee. In a non-union workplace, the inspection is usually unaccompanied. The inspector is required to talk to a reasonable number of employees” (highlights my own.

https://www.osha.gov/dte/grant_materials/fy10/sh-20853-10/osha_inspections.pdf

Since the representative in a union workplace must be an employee of the company (not all union officers are employees), it appears that the representative in non-union workplaces must also be an employee. No other interpretation of the above cited reference makes sense. If a union official cannot be a representative for his own bargaining unit because he is not also an employee, then clearly he has no right to represent the workers in a non-union workplace where he is is not affiliated with the company in any way either as an employee or a union agent.

 

[Grandma]

The administration, having gotten away with using the IRS to intimidate their opponents, is now using other agencies for partisan purposes.
The companies should bar the SEIU reps. They have no right to be there. They should sue OSHA.

Why is it no more of a stink is being made about these obvious intimidation tactics?

What's so scary about unions? Is the boss that much of a bastard that he doesn't want his employees treated fairly?

 

[bripat9643]

The administration, having gotten away with using the IRS to intimidate their opponents, is now using other agencies for partisan purposes.
The companies should bar the SEIU reps. They have no right to be there. They should sue OSHA.

Why is it no more of a stink is being made about these obvious intimidation tactics?

What's so scary about unions? Is the boss that much of a bastard that he doesn't want his employees treated fairly?

Unions are nothing more than organized criminal gangs.

 

[Grandma]

Unions are nothing more than organized criminal gangs.

Well, good to know you haven't given up blatant lies for Lent, troll.

 

[Papageorgio]

The administration, having gotten away with using the IRS to intimidate their opponents, is now using other agencies for partisan purposes.
The companies should bar the SEIU reps. They have no right to be there. They should sue OSHA.

Why is it no more of a stink is being made about these obvious intimidation tactics?

What's so scary about unions? Is the boss that much of a bastard that he doesn't want his employees treated fairly?

They are intimidation practices. What business is it of the union? OSHA is their to make sure safety practices and procedures are in place. The SEIU is there for no reason.

 

[WinterBorn]

The administration, having gotten away with using the IRS to intimidate their opponents, is now using other agencies for partisan purposes.
The companies should bar the SEIU reps. They have no right to be there. They should sue OSHA.

Why is it no more of a stink is being made about these obvious intimidation tactics?

What's so scary about unions? Is the boss that much of a bastard that he doesn't want his employees treated fairly?

The point of an OSHA inspection is to identify safety and health issues. An outside union rep is not there to do that. He is there to cause problems for the owner. The union has no bearing on the OSHA inspection.