Flight Attendants’ Leader and NLRB General Counsel Tout Unionization

Sara Nelson, the International President of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA and Jennifer Abruzzo, General Counsel at the National Labor Relations Board, offered their perspectives on employee voice and representation in the workplace. 

• Nelson asserted that the employer does not deserve a voice in employee relations and/or unionization issues. 
  
  
• Abruzzo doubled down on her aggressive policy actions and emphasized the broad scope of employee protected activity. 

During the discussion, Nelson referred to the ongoing UAW strike and highlighted the importance of collective bargaining to address labor issues. She noted there is frustration among workers nationwide due to stagnant wages. Nelson represents 50,000 flight attendants, members of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA. Nelson noted that all companies should have organized workforces as “employee voice is very critical.”  She also explained how she leverages relationships with other unions to understand and identify labor issues that are bubbling and need to be addressed. 

Jennifer Abruzzo doubled down on the need to protect workers' rights. On the issue of non-compete agreements, Abruzzo noted such clauses negatively impact workers and their ability to engage in collective action, adding that “it’s all about equalizing bargaining power.” Furthermore, she observed that non-competes are unlawful in most situations, and that the NLRB will decide its interpretations based on Board law and Supreme Court precedent. 

Captive Audience Meetings on Ice: Employer voice was also discussed, including the issue of mandatory employee meetings providing the company’s view on unionization. Abruzzo stated that companies shouldn’t “mandate” that workers sit and listen; just make such convenings “voluntary.”

Looking Ahead: Abruzzo noted she was focused on “handbooks, AI and protected concerted activity”, citing concerns raised about electronic monitoring becoming too intrusive and inhibiting workers' rights. Abruzzo is calling on the Board to assess employers' technology to safeguard workers' Section 7 rights.