December 20, 2011

US HOMEBUILDERS LESS GLOOMY DESPITE FEW BUYERS

Today in Manufacturing
Rising interest from would-be buyers is leaving U.S. homebuilders less pessimistic, but tighter lending standards are preventing many new mortgages ... continue

FEDERAL JUDGE ASKS NLRB TO DELAY RULE ON UNION POSTERS
Bloomberg News
Bloomberg reports US District Judge Amy Berman Jackson "asked the National Labor Relations Board to delay enforcing a rule that companies inform employees of their rights to form a union." Judge Jackson "made the request today after hearing from groups led by the National Association of Manufacturers and National Federation of Independent Businesses that challenged the board's power to require union- organizing posters in the workplace." Joe Trauger, vice president for human resources policy at the manufacturers' group, told reporters before oral arguments, "We do not believe the law bears out that they have the authority to require notice postings for all employers."

TRADE GROUP SAYS HOLIDAY SHOPPERS STEP UP BUYING
Today in Manufacturing
After taking a break from a record spending spree, holiday shoppers came out again in force last week, but they're procrastinating more than last year ... continue

EPA'S UNAPPROVED ASBESTOS REMOVAL METHODS MAY PUT WORKERS, PUBLIC AT RISK
Quick Manufacturing News
In a recent report EPA Inspector General Arthur A. Elkins Jr. addressed EPA's authorization of unapproved methods of asbestos removal at its own sites. Elkins called for a halt to these unapproved methods, which may violate OSHA requirements and potentially expose workers to carcinogens, and said the agency should notify any workers or residents who may have been exposed to asbestos as a result. Click to continue

ORAL ARGUMENTS IN NLRB RULE CASE
Flagg Weekly Communications (UMA)
Yesterday, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia heard the National Association of Manufacturers’ (NAM) case against the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The NAM is challenging the Board’s “posting requirement” regulation, which would force employers to hang a notice informing employees of their rights to unionize and strike. The rule was set to take effect in November, but the NLRB pushed the date to January 31.

You can read the NAM’s brief here and its reply here.

ARE REGULATORY AGENCIES ON THE DEFENSE?
Today in Manufacturing
With advancing harmonization, mutual agreements to share data and a focus on risk-based approaches, regulators may in fact be more on the offense than on the defense ... continue