Continuing the fight against forced speech and aggressive overreach by federal agencies, the NAM and the Virginia Manufacturers Association (VMA) filed a lawsuit 12/18/13 to stop the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) from enforcing its “posting requirement” rule. The OFCCP, an agency within the Department of Labor, enforces rules and regulations imposed on federal contractors.
The OFCCP rule adversely affects thousands of federal contractors and subcontractors by forcing them to promote unionization of their workforces or risk being debarred from federal contracts. Our lawsuit asked the court to strike down the rule on the grounds that poster is compelled speech and violates the First Amendment.
A similar rule put forth by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) was struck down earlier in 2013 by a federal appeals court due to a successful lawsuit from the NAM. In that case, the court ruled that similar posters amount to compelled speech and extend beyond the intent of the National Labor Relations Act. Federal contractors deserve the same protection from this aggressive overreach.
The NAM and VMA filed a joint Motion for Summary Judgment in D.C. District Court on 5/1/14. This case arises from a facial challenge brought by Plaintiffs against Defendant’s Final Rule, at 29 CFR Part 471, 75 F.R. 28368 implementing Executive Order 13496 which forces all federal contractors to post a “Notification of Employee Rights Under Federal Labor Laws”, prominently and conspicuously in places of employment. NAM and VMA argue that the Rule must be vacated as it constitutes compelled speech in violation of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, has been promulgated in excess of Defendants’ statutory authority, is arbitrary and capricious, and is preempted by the NLRA.
On May 7, 2015, the D.C. District Court denied the NAM’s motion for summary judgment and entered judgment for the DOL. The DOL rule requiring contractor posting of NLRA rights statement was upheld by the Court and does not violate the constitutional rights of covered employers.