NLRB finalizes changes to union election procedures

The National Labor Relations Board today released a final rule revising union election procedures, which takes effect 120 days after its publication in the Dec. 18 Federal Register. According to the agency, the rule gives parties additional time to comply with certain pre-election requirements instituted in 2015, and clarifies and reinstates certain procedures for litigating and resolving unit scope and voter eligibility issues before an election. While still calling for elections at the “earliest date practicable,” the rule gives employers more time to post a petition for election notice and submit voter lists, and generally extends the pre-election hearing date from eight to 14 business days after the hearing notice, among other changes.