Confined Space
News and Commentary on Workplace Health & Safety, Labor and Politics

Monday, October 03, 2005


Harriet Miers Headed Law Firm Engaged In Union Busting Avoidance

Working for a lawfirm that specializes in "union busting avoidance" seems to be a "Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval" for Bush administration nominees. Like Ed Foulke, Bush's nominee for head of OSHA, Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers' former lawfirm, Locke Liddell & Sapp, of which she was co-managing partner, had an active union avoidance practice:
The threat of a union organizing effort or strike can be traumatic for any company- which is why you need an experienced partner on your side. Locke Liddell labor and employment law lawyers have handled hundreds of union arbitrations and labor contracts, and have extensive experience in union avoidance counseling....For union-free companies, we provide union-avoidance advice and strategies in emerging situations. Our experience extends to the most specialized areas, including the Railway Labor Act that governs many union actions. We have handled a major strike against a national transportation company, and use such experience to counsel any size business on its labor relations concerns.
Mier's former firm represents a large association of building owners fighting SEIU-represented janitors in Houston who are fighting for union recognition.

And, like any good corporate firm, Locke Liddel also had an OSHA practice:
A government safety inspection that’s not properly addressed can jeopardize your company’s future. Locke Liddell's labor and employment lawyers respond promptly to the myriad of issues involving employee health and safety. We defend OSHA claims of any type, including multiple death cases.
Isn't that comforting?

I'm not sure if she participated personally in the union avoidance activities of her firm, but it doesn't bode well for her sensitivity to worker or labor issues at a time that, as Jonathan Tasini points out, there are critical labor issues that the new court will soon have to address.



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