By all accounts, 2011 was a busy year for the National Labor Relations Board (“Board”). In 2011, the Board saw a 17 percent increase in filings as compared to the prior year, which included both unfair labor practice charges and representation cases. During the federal fiscal year (October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2011), the Board issued 368 decisions, many of which will have a significant impact on employers. The Board also initiated two rulemaking procedures. The first proposed Rule, adopted in part by the Board in December 2011, would modify certain existing procedures governing representation elections. The other Rule, promulgated in February 2011, would require employers covered by the National Labor Relations Act (“Act”) to post a Notice of Employee Rights, which outlines employee rights under the Act, such as the right to organize, the right to strike and picket, the right of non-unionized employees to engage in concerted activities, etc.

We reported extensively on the Board’s initiatives and activities on our blog [www.palaborandemploymentblog.com] throughout the year, but we have provided an overview of the more significant decisions and actions of the Board below.