Law360 steps up opposition to union effort

The management of legal news service Law360.com has stepped up its efforts to defeat a union movement in the newsroom, writes Gabe Friedman of Bloomberg BNA.

Friedman writes, “The email, obtained by Big Law Business, came from Ahuva Silver, senior HR manager, who wrote: ‘We hope that you’ll VOTE NO to give us a chance to continue to work together. The choice is yours.’

“Chris Giganti, a Law360 spokesman, confirmed that the company is urging a no vote.

“‘The choice whether to be union-represented belongs to our editorial staff, and we just want to make sure they make an informed and educated decision after getting both sides of the story. Ultimately, we feel strongly that we can build the best professional future for our people by working directly and closely with each person on an individual level,’ Giganti said via email.

“Last month, the New York NewsGuild announced that a majority of the 130 editors, reporters and news assistants in Law360’s New York, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles and other offices had signed a petition to unionize.

“The company decided not to recognize a union based on the petition and asked for a National Labor Relations Board secret ballot election, as Big Law Business reported.

“Giganti said the vote is expected to take place Aug. 10 – 23, with ballots counted by Aug. 24.”

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