New York solar firm accused of union busting after furloughing staff (link added)

[Omaha Steve]

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/jan/06/empower-solar-new-york-union-election-workers-furloughed-united-auto-workers

EmPower Solar suspended 40% of its workforce but says action is unrelated to recent successful election of workers to join UAW

By Michael Sainato Sat 6 Jan 2024 07.00 EST

A New York-based solar panel business has been accused of being a “poster child” of union busting after furloughing 40% of its workforce for more than a year, days after a victorious union election.

Installers and technicians at EmPower Solar, in Bethpage – concerned about poor working conditions and issues they faced on the job – reached out to the United Auto Workers after the gains it won during the “stand up” strikes at the big three automakers.

Just before Christmas, on 22 December, workers at Empower voted to join UAW Local 259. The union fight overcame opposition from the company and consultants at National Labor Relations Advocates. NRLA specializes in union avoidance, claiming a 96% success rate.

Barely a week after the vote, on 30 December, EmPower furloughed 21 workers until 2025. UAW Local 259 claimed this amounted to a “union busting” tactic, designed to target workers for unionizing.

FULL story at link above.