Fulfilling the Pledge

Contents Preface ix Introduction 1 I The Unsatisfied Demand for Union Representation and the Costs of a Declining Union Movement  1 What Do Workers Want? 9 2 The “Representation Gap” and the Societal Costs of Low Union Density 21 3 Causes: The Revolt of the Bosses 49 II The Role of Contemporary Labor Relations Law in Creating Obstacles to Workers’ Desire to Obtain Union Representation 4 The NLRA’s Restrictions on Coverage: Constricting Eligibility for Legal Protection of the Right to Organize 63 5 Opportunities in the NLRA during the Representation Process for Employer-Created Delay and Interference with Employee Free Choice 93 6 Opportunities in the NLRA for an Employer to Retaliate without Fear of Significant Consequences 117 7 Opportunities in the NLRA for Employers to Indoctrinate Employees through Work- Time Captive Audience Meetings while Denying Unions Workplace Access to Employees 129 III The Role of Contemporary Labor Relations Law in Creating Obstacles to Employees’ Ability to Secure Favorable Collective Bargaining Terms 8 Opportunities in the NLRA for Employers to Deny Workers an Initial Collective Bargaining Agreement 141 9 Opportunities in the NLRA Permitting Employers to Destabilize Existing Bargaining Relationships 153 10 Opportunities in the NLRA Permitting Employers to Limit Workers’ Economic Actions 163 Epilogue: Searching for Solutions beyond the NLRA 179 Acknowledgments 189 Appendix: Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2021 (H.R. 842)— Section-by-Section Analysis 191 Notes 203 Bibliography 273 Index 285