Board Adopts Contract Coverage Standard for Determining Whether Unilateral Changes Violate the Act

WASHINGTON, DC—In a decision issued today, the National Labor Relations Board adopted the “contract coverage” standard for determining whether a unionized employer’s unilateral change in a term or condition of employment violates the National Labor Relations Act. In doing so, the Board abandoned the “clear and unmistakable waiver” standard, which has been rejected by several federal courts of appeals, notably including the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, which has plenary jurisdiction to review Board rulings.