Some changes were made to the final rule from the Board's original proposal:

• The Board dropped a requirement that employers distribute the posting by email, text message, voicemail or via social media.
• Employers are explicitly permitted to post the notice in color or black-and-white.
• The NLRB has clarified its requirements for posting the notice in foreign languages, using a 20 percent threshold.  Translations will be provided by the Board.
• The Board clarified that federal contractors already complying with a Department of Labor notice posting requirement will be exempt from the rule.
• Employers have the option of posting their own notice (in addition to the board's notice) stating their position, as long as it does not contain "threat[s] of reprisal or force or promise[s] of benefit."  *ABC National has produced a supplemental notice, designed exclusively for nonunion contractors and formatted for 11-by-17-inch printing, which references several rights provided to employees under the NLRA that were unfortunately were not included in the NLRB's final rule.  

The NLRB maintained the enforcement policies prescribed in its original proposal. Failure to post the notice will be considered an unfair labor practice violation of the NLRA. In addition, the board may extend the six-month statute of limitations for filing a charge when the case involves other unfair labor practices. If an employer is found to knowingly and willfully refuse to comply with the requirements, it could be used as evidence of unlawful motive in other unfair labor practice cases.  

The NLRB has posted a basic fact sheet to answer general questions regarding the rule, and has provided its official poster. 

RESOURCES: 

• Final Rule on Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act
• NLRB Fact Sheet
• 11-by-17-inch NLRB Notice Poster
• ABC Supplemental, 11-by-17-inch Notice Poster

On October 5, The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) responded to several lawsuits, including one filed by an ABC-led coalition, by delaying the implementation of its requirement that employers post an 11-by-17-inch notice displaying a list of select employee rights granted by the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). The rule was originally scheduled to go into effect Nov. 14, but will be postponed until Jan. 31, 2012. 

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U.S.  Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood awarded a $196.5 million grant to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) for track and signal improvements between Detroit and Kalamazoo, MI.  These improvements will allow for speeds up to 110 mph on 77 percent of Amtrak's Wolverine and Blue Water services between Detroit and Chicago, resulting in a 30 minute reduction in travel time between those destinations.   

"This is an important investment that will reduce travel time, improve reliability and on-time performance, and attract more passengers," said Secretary LaHood. "We are creating jobs in Michigan, building our rails with American-made materials and growing the regional economy."

Dollars for this 135 mile segment between Detroit and Kalamazoo will support preliminary engineering, final design and construction.  The project includes new, continuously welded rail and ties, fiber optic lines and infrastructure to support a positive train control system, rebuilding 180 highway-rail grade crossings, and gates and flashers at 65 private highway-rail grade crossings.  The project will create approximately 800 new jobs during the construction phase, which is expected to begin late spring 2012, and will facilitate service to current and future freight rail customers, including major shippers like Ford Motor Company.

"Investing in rail service will spark economic development in communities along a corridor linking Detroit and Chicago, two vital Midwest cities," said Governor Rick Snyder. "A faster, reliable passenger rail system is a priority for younger generations and vital to Michigan's ability to compete globally as businesses look to locate or expand. The rail improvements will also hasten the transport of freight, a priority for Ford Motor Company and other Michigan businesses along the route."

"This funding will help move Michigan and the nation forward by making high-speed rail a part of our economic infrastructure," said Senator Carl Levin. "Our economic competitors around the world have long enjoyed the benefits of high-speed rail service between their cities. They have demonstrated that high-speed service can create jobs and promote economic growth, and that it can provide a more energy-efficient alternative."

"Construction of new high-speed lines will create jobs and generate more business activity in Michigan," Senator Debbie Stabenow said. "This effort will not only boost our economy, it will provide residents with more transportation options. With gas prices as high as they are it is critically important that travelers have more choices in addition to driving."