Letters
CEI Leads Coalition Letter Opposing the Renomination of Mark Pearce to the National Labor Relations Board
The undersigned organizations urge President Trump not to renominate National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) member Mark Pearce. The NLRB is an independent agency made up…
Blog
Republicans Must Take Back Control of National Labor Relations Board
Since Republicans reclaimed the majority at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Democrats and unions have been conducting an obstruction campaign against the Board by…
Blog
Celebrate National Employee Freedom Week 2018
Every worker should be able to decide whether union membership is right for them. And workers who do not want union representation should be able…
Blog
National Labor Relations Board Recusal Ruse Continues
Since a Republican majority was installed at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), labor unions and Democrats in Congress have lobbed baseless conflict of…
Blog
End Union Medicaid Dues Skim
Every Medicaid dollar is statutorily required to directly fund care for the elderly or disabled. This requirement is known as the “direct payment requirement.” Congress,…
Comment
CEI Comments on Labor Union Dues – Skimming of Medicaid Benefits
On behalf of the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI), I respectfully submit these comments in response to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Notice…
Blog
Setback in Missouri Won’t Stop Worker Freedom Momentum
AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka took to the pages of The Wall Street Journal to beat his chest on Big Labor’s victory in striking down…
The Pittsburgh Tribune
Pa. Workers Deserve Freedom From Forced Union Representation
Pennsylvania public employees are now free to decide how best to spend their hard-earned paychecks. In June, the U.S. Supreme Court in Janus v. AFSCME…
The Daily Caller
Right to Work is Right for Missouri
Private-sector workers in states without Right-to-Work laws can still be forced to pay fees to a union they vehemently disagree with, even as their public…
Citation
Missouri Workers Stuck With Their Unions After Ballot Failure
Missouri voters on August 7 defeated a right-to-work ballot measure. That means workers will remain stuck in a labor union they may not want and…
Blog
Right to Work Is Right for Missouri
Private-sector workers in states without right to work laws can still be forced to pay fees to a union they vehemently disagree with, even…
Blog
Employee Rights Act Strengthens Worker Choice
Public employees are no longer required to pay fees to a union as a condition of employment. This newfound freedom was secured by the United…
Blog
Federal Employees Fight to Keep No-Show Jobs in Union Lawsuit
Federal employee unions and the Trump administration sparred in court over a set of executive orders that make changes to official time and grievance procedures…
Blog
Priorities for DOL’s Office of Labor-Management Standards
The Trump administration recently installed Arthur Rosenfeld as the head of the Department of Labor's Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS), which administers and enforces the…
Blog
Guidance on How to Curtail Time Federal Employees Spend Performing Union Business
If the Trump administration wants to achieve its stated goal to use tax dollars as effectively as possible, ending the practice known as official time, which…
Blog
Congressional Democrats Seek to Undermine Janus Decision
Despite union hysterics, the Supreme Court's Janus decision does not impede or prohibit public employees’ right to unionize or collectively bargain. Instead, government unions will simply…
Fox Business
Trey Kovacs Discusses Janus Supreme Court Ruling on Fox Business
June 27, 2018 – Trey Kovacs, Policy Analyst at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, joined Varney & Co on Fox Business to…
Fox News
Supreme Court’s Janus decision is a win for government workers (and all Americans)
In its 5-4 ruling Wednesday in Janus vs. AFSCME (American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees), the Supreme Court overturned decades-old precedent that allowed…
News Release
Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Workers in Janus Union Dues Case
The Competitive Enterprise Institute praised a 5-to-4 Supreme Court ruling today in Janus v. AFSCME Council 31 ending forced union dues for public sector workers.
Inside Sources
How States Can Increase Worker Freedom After Janus
he U.S. Supreme Court struck down forced union dues for state government workers this week, in a ruling that restores the First Amendment rights of…
News Release
CEI on The White House Plan to Reform and Reorganize Regulatory Agencies
Today, the White House released its much-anticipated plan for reorganizing federal government agencies. Competitive Enterprise Institute policy experts praised some of the reforms but pointed…
Inside Sources
Trump Orders Make Regulatory Agencies More Accountable
At the start of summer, just as most Americans were headed out for Memorial Day observances and travel, President Trump suddenly put out three hugely…
Blog
Last Chance for the 115th: Legislative Action on Labor and Employment
Lawmakers have made little to no progress during the 115th Congress to improve labor and employment policy. U.S. labor law is outdated and in…
Blog
Surprising Results from the Labor Department’s Alternative Work Arrangements Report
A growing economy helps all workers, both those in the sharing economy and those in traditional employment, as new federal employment data bear out.
Blog
Democratic Senators Criticize Labor Rulemaking on Joint Employment
A group of Democratic senators recently took issue with the National Labor Relations Board’s announcement it may initiate a notice and comment rulemaking to clarify…
Federal Times
Official time use: vital for feds or a waste of time?
Federal Times cited Trey Kovacs on the negative impact which official time imposes on dispute resolution in the bargaining process. Federal employee use of…
The Wall Street Journal
NLRB Acting Like It Has Something to Hide
Regarding your editorial “Funny Business at the Labor Board” (May 17): The National Labor Relations Board Inspector General Office has responded to the Competitive Enterprise…
Comment
Testimony of Trey Kovacs: Union Time on the People’s Dime, a Closer Look at Official Time
CEI labor policy analyst Trey Kovacs testifies before the U.S. House Oversight and Government Reform's Subcommittee on Government Operations on the issue of official time in the federal workforce.
News Release
Trump Executive Orders on Civil Service Reform Are a Huge Win for Taxpayers, Workplace Equity
On news today that President Trump signed three executive orders aimed at making federal workers more accountable and better-performing, Competitive Enterprise Institute experts praised the…
Blog
House Committee Examines Union Subsidy
Today the House Subcommittee on Government Operations held a hearing entitled “Union Time on the People’s Dime: A Closer Look at Official Time.” The purpose…
InsideSources
Government Report Breaks Down Taxpayer Funded Union Hours
InsideSources cited Trey Kovacs on the irony and need for getting rid of “official time” where union officials are paid with tax-payer dollars while conducting…
Blog
Debating Employment Flexibility in the Gig Economy
Renowned labor expert and Harvard professor Benjamin Sachs argues over at OnLabor.org that he's had enough with what he calls the “flexibility trope” of worker classification…
Blog
Federal Employees Spend Over 3 Million Hours on Union Business
Federal employee unions enjoy a government subsidy known as “official time” that enables union members to perform union duties while being paid by the taxpayer.
HR Dive
NLRB Considers Rulemaking To Settle Joint-Employer Uncertainty
HR Dive cited Trey Kovacs on the benefits of NLRB’s announcement of a new joint employer rulemaking. In an email to HR Dive,…
Blog
Due Process Concerns Remain in National Labor Relations Board Ethics Inquiry
On March 28, 2018, the Competitive Enterprise Institute sent a letter to the National Labor Relations Board Office of Inspector General to investigate NLRB…
InsideSources
Fed Labor Board Looks to Undo Obama-Era Rule
InsideSources cited Trey Kovacs on the importance how the National Labor Relations Board new joint employer rulemaking will benefit businesses and workers by aiding to…
News Release
NLRB Announces New Joint Employer Rulemaking – a Good Move, Says CEI’s Trey Kovacs
Today the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) announced it is considering a new rulemaking to fix the controversial joint employer standard.
Washington Examiner
Education Department Employees Can’t Do Union Work on the Taxpayers’ Dime Anymore
A simmering feud between the Department of Education and the union representing the agency’s employees erupted into a bigger squabble over a wasteful taxpayer subsidy…
Blog
Department of Labor Safeguards Worker Retirement Investments
It is well known that Americans do not adequately save for retirement. As such, it is crucial that every dollar American workers put away…
Blog
House Committee Examines How to Modernize Labor Laws
Labor-management relation laws in the United States are in need of an update. Reform is long overdue, with the last major update to statutes governing…
News Release
Senate Confirms Much-Needed Trump Labor Appointees
The Senate is set to confirm two long-awaited appointees for key labor positions. Competitive Enterprise Institute labor policy analyst Trey Kovacs says the labor experts…
Blog
National Labor Relations Board General Counsel Rebukes Board
It seems there is never a slow day over at the National Labor Relations Board. Today, the NLRB General Counsel Peter Robb issued a legal…
Blog
Option for States Dealing with Illegal Teacher Union Strikes
An uptick in teacher union strikes has occurred over past few months. Teachers have abandoned students in West Virginia, Kentucky, and Oklahoma with rumblings of…
The Washington Post
Why do Maryland Labor Unions Want Workers’ Private Data?
Maryland public-sector unions are lobbying the state legislature to undermine a Supreme Court case that could end their power to make workers pay union fees…
News Release
Media Reports Labor Board Will Investigate Leak After CEI Request
The Competitive Enterprise Institute asked the Inspector General of the National Labor Relations Board to investigate board member Mark Pearce for leaking confidential information. Two…
Blog
Investigate Labor Relations Board Confidentiality Breach
Earlier this week, the Competitive Enterprise Institute sent a request to the National Labor Relations Board Office of Inspector General to investigate NLRB member…
Bloomberg BNA
Labor Board Watchdog Asked to Probe Democratic Member
Bloomberg BNA highlights our request to the NLRB to investigate leaks. The Competitive Enterprise Institute this morning asked NLRB Inspector General David Berry…
Washington Examiner
Conservative group calls for probe of NLRB member
The Washington Examiner profiles our letter to the NLRB asking for an investigation into leaked information: The Competitive Enterprise Institute said in…
News Release
NLRB Leaks Spur CEI Call for Investigation
The Competitive Enterprise Institute today sent a letter to the National Labor Relations Board inspector general asking him to investigate allegations that board member…
Comment
Letter to the NLRB Office of Inspector General on Mark Gaston Pearce
View Full Document as PDF Dear Inspector General Berry: The Competitive Enterprise Institute respectfully requests the National Labor Relations Board Office of…
The Free Beacon
Coalition Urges Franchise Fix in Omnibus Bill
The Free Beacon talks to Trey Kovacs about CEI’s coalition letter urging for protections for franchises: A coalition of taxpayer and business…
Blog
Include ‘Joint Employer’ Fix in Omnibus Budget Bill
The Competitive Enterprise Institute is leading a free-market coalition urging Congress to attach the Save Local Business Act (H.R. 4331) as a policy rider to the…
Blog
Department of Education Limits Federal Employee Union Subsidy
Department of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos deserves a round of applause. Most federal agencies, even in Republican administrations, agree to collective bargaining agreements that heavily…
Blog
National Labor Relations Board Recusal Saga Continues
Democrats and union allies have been transparent in their goal to block or delay any decisions by the Trump National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), as…
Blog
Growing Scandal at National Labor Relations Board
This has the look of a coordinated attack to hinder the current National Labor Relations Board’s ability to reform Obama-era policies. The Inspector General stirred…
Watchdog
More Briefs Filed with SCOTUS in Forced Union Dues Case
Watchdog cited Trey Kovacs on the longstanding circumstance of union workers being forced to pay for controversial political activities for unions by the government. …
U.S. News and World Report
Don’t Fear Worker Freedom
PUBLIC SECTOR UNIONS have some dire warnings about a U.S. Supreme Court case that could end forced union dues for government employees, like teachers, police officers…
Watchdog.org
Labor policy analyst: Unions using overblown rhetoric to defend forced union fees for government workers
Watchdog.org cites Trey Kovacs’ on the upcoming Supreme Court decision in the Janus v. AFSCME forced union dues case: Competitive Enterprise Institute’s…
Blog
Job-Killing Joint Employer Standard Returns
In an abrupt and unexpected move, on February 26th, the National Labor Relations Board vacated its December 2017 decision in Hy-Brand, which restored longstanding Board…
The Hill
Labor board vacates key ruling over conflict of Trump appointee
The Hill quotes Trey Kovacs on the need for a congressional fix to the joint-employer standard. The Competitive Enterprise Institute, a conservative…
Reuters
U.S. labor agency overturns major ruling, citing Trump appointee’s conflict
Thompson-Reuters quotes Trey Kovacs on the NLRB decision to return to the Browning-Ferris joint employer standard. Trey Kovacs, a labor policy expert…
Daily Signal
Mandatory Union Fees Divide Demonstrators as Supreme Court Hears Arguments
The Daily Signal talks to Trey Kovacs about Janus v. AFSCME, the forced union dues case before the Supreme Court. Trey Kovacs, a…
The Boston Globe
Should workers have to pay union dues? Supreme Court will hear case today
The Boston Globe gives a roundup of argument in the Janus v. AFSCME forced union dues case before the Supreme Court. Opponents…
News Release
NLRB Upends Joint Employer Labor Standard (Again!): CEI Statement
Abruptly, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) today vacated its most recent ruling on joint employer liability, the standard that determines when two employers are considered…
Inside Sources
After the Supreme Court Rules On Forced Union Dues
Inside Sources talks to Trey Kovacs about the Janus v. AFSCME forced union dues case before the Supreme Court: The Competitive Enterprise…
Blog
Landmark Supreme Court Case Can Restore Worker Freedom
Today at oral argument in Janus v. AFSCME, Council 31, Justice Sonia Sotomayor said “You're basically arguing, do away with unions,” when questioning Bill…
News Release
CEI Hopeful Supreme Court Will Strike a Victory for Worker Freedom and First Amendment in Janus Case
“No worker who wants to serve the public should be forced to pay union fees against their will at the risk of losing his or…
Blog
Lawson v. Grubhub a Big Win for Flexible Work Arrangements
Classyfying sharing economy workers as employees, rather than independent contractors, would undercut why many individuals find sharing economy work appealing. Sharing economy workers can choose how much and…
Fox News
Dear Supreme Court, It’s Time to Let Union Workers Decide How to Spend Their Money
Mark Janus is a child-support specialist in Illinois who is forced to pay union dues in order to keep his job. As a public employee,…
The Hill
Congress Must Stop Union Scheme Siphoning Funds From Medicaid
Congress created Medicaid to exclusively fund care to the elderly and disabled, not fund labor unions. But powerful labor unions like the Service Employee International…
Blog
Federal Employee Unions Hamstring Government Reorganization Efforts
President Trump has said that “billions and billions of dollars are being wasted on activities that are not delivering results for hardworking American taxpayers.” The inspection…
Law360
Trump’s First Year: Labor And Employment Report Card
Law360 discusses the Trump administration’s labor policy with Trey Kovacs. Saturday marked one year since President Donald Trump’s inauguration, and the past 365 days…
Watchdog
Labor Analyst: Members-Only Unions Would Be Answer in World Without Forced Dues
Watchdog covers the release of CEI’s latest publication, “Supreme Court Can Strike a Victory for Worker Freedom in Janus Case.” A free-market public…
Reason
The Supreme Court’s Big Public Sector Union Case Is Really About Free Speech
Reason covers Janus v. AFSCME. Mark Janus did not vote to join a union, and he does not support the union that he was forced…
InsideSources
How Member-Only Unions Could Solve the Free-Rider Problem
InsideSources covers the release of CEI’s latest report “Supreme Court Can Strike a Victory for Worker Freedom in Janus Case.” The U.S. Supreme…
Blog
Stop Forcing Unions on Workers
Workers should have the right to speak for themselves at their workplace and decide how to spend their hard earned wages.
News Release
Report: Supreme Court Janus Case Could Stop Forced Union Dues, But States Need Change to Members-Only Unions
As the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to hear oral argument in a lawsuit challenging forced union dues for public-sector workers, Janus v AFSCME Council 31,…
Study
Supreme Court Can Strike a Victory for Worker Freedom in Janus Case
View Full Document as PDF Mark Janus is a state child support specialist in Illinois. He works to ensure that children receive…
Blog
Prohibit Union Official Time during Potential Government Shutdown
Under OPM policy, exempt federal employees who work during a shutdown “serving as union officials may continue to be granted official time to the same…
InsideSources
Ending the Federal Labor Policy Swing
InsideSources discusses the National Labor Relations Board with Trey Kovacs. Former President Barack Obama was accused by critics of unilaterally implementing an extensive labor…
Blog
Right to Work Laws Protect Workers from Union Corruption
Widespread union corruption is just another reason why states should adopt right-to-work laws and free workers from forced union dues requirements.
Blog
Tax Reform Delivers Another Blow to Union-Funded ‘Fight for $15’
Tax reform has produced results that have largely eluded the union-funded movement to raise the wages of workers across the country.
InsideSources
The Merciless Death of Obama’s Workforce Legacy
InsideSources discusses changes to labor policy with Trey Kovacs. Former President Barack Obama oversaw significant changes to employment policies during his time in office,…
Blog
Top 5 Changes in Labor Policy to Look for in 2018
In 2018, expect a hard push by Congress to cement the traditional joint employer standard into law.
Blog
NLRB Restores Commonsense Joint Employer Standard
During the past eight years, the Obama National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) tilted labor-management relation precedent far in favor of labor unions. This came in…
The Washington Times
NLRB Reverses Obama-era Ruling on Employers’ Liability for Subcontractors
The Washington Times covers the National Labro Relations Board’s reversal of the joint employer standard. The National Labor Relations Board reversed an Obama-era ruling Thursday…
News Release
CEI Praises NLRB Decision to Reverse Course on Harmful Joint Employer Liability
Today the National Labor Relations Board, in a 3-to-2 decision, overturned its Obama-era ruling in the board’s own case against waste management company Browning-Ferris Industries. The…
The Washington Examiner
Democrats Seek to Hobble Republican-led Labor Board
The Washington Examiner discusses an attemt to hobble the National Labor Relation Board’s pro-worker agenda with Trey Kovacs. Democrats led by Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth…
Watchdog News
More Briefs Filed with SCOTUS in Forced Union Dues Case
Watchdog News covers CEI’s amicus brief in Janus v. AFSCME. Three more briefs were filed with the U.S. Supreme Court this week in support…
InsideSources
A Case for Banning Forced Union Dues
InsideSources covers CEI’s amicus brief in Janus v. AFSCME. The U.S. Supreme Court should outlaw forced union dues in the public-sector when it hears…
Blog
Forced Union Dues Fund Labor Union Politics
Today, the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) submitted a brief in Janus v AFSCME, Council 31, a case before the United States Supreme Court. The question at…
Blog
Labor Department Should Delay Overtime Rulemaking Pending Report
Trey Kovacs suggests a way to improve the Department of Labor's evidence-based policy making.
Comment
Comments to the Department of Labor on the 2018 Draft Strategic Plan
View Full Document as PDF Thank you for the opportunity to submit comments on the Department of Labor’s (DOL) Draft Strategic Plan for…
Blog
Brief Filed to Supreme Court in Forced Union Dues Case
No worker should be forced to fund an organization they do not wish to support.
Blog
What to Expect from the Department of Labor
Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta has made a much needed course correction at the Department of Labor (DOL). During the past administration, federal regulators consistently issued…
Townhall
Democrats’ ‘A Better Deal’ Revised to Help Unions Wield More Power
Democratic leadership made one huge gaffe when they released “A Better Deal,” a new economic plan aimed at building a strong economy. They forgot to…
InsideSources
Business Community Makes Final Push to End Obama-Era Franchise Rule
InsideSources covers the passage of the Save Local Business Act. The business community is ramping up its efforts to underscore the dangers of a…
The Washington Free Beacon
Congress Stands Up for Ronald (McDonald)
The Washington Free Beacon covers the passage of the Save Local Business Act. The House of Representatives passed a bill that could roll back…
News Release
House Passes Save Local Business Act
The House today passed the Save Local Business Act, which would protect small businesses and jobs nationwide. Passed by 242 to 181 margin, the bill would…
The Hill
Congress Must Stop Union Scheme Siphoning Funds from Medicaid
Congress created Medicaid to exclusively fund care to the elderly and disabled, not fund labor unions. But powerful labor unions like the Service Employee International Union…