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h o p p i n g c e n t e r l a n d l o r d s c o u l d b e h e l d
responsible for labor violations or breaches of collective bargaining
agreements committed by their subcontractors, according to a broader
definition of what constitutes a "joint employer" issued in January by
the u.s. department of labor.
this follows an august 2015 ruling by the national labor relations board,
which found that browning-Ferris industries violated a collective bargaining
agreement negotiated between a subcontractor and its employees by refusing to
negotiate with the workers' union.
though the labor department interpretation lacks the force of law, it is likely
to establish precedent and thus influence the way the department makes future
joint-employment decisions.
"it is yet another example of regulatory overreach," said betsy laird, icsc's
S
Whose eMploYees?
a federal labor ruling may expose landlords to subcontractor claims
By Stephanie Lockwood