WEB SITE: http://labornotes.org/node/1741
Most employees today routinely have access to the Internet in their workplaces. One of the myriad questions that employees’ use of the Internet has raised has to do with union activities. The web site listed above will take you to a document entitled “Company E-Mail Rules-Are They Illegal?” Read through the document and then consider the following questions:
1) What is the traditional “rule on solicitation”? When was this rule first enunciated? What right does the rule grant to workers? (4 pts.)
2) Why is it important whether e-mail is considered “solicitation” or “distribution”? May either of these forms of communication be banned in the work area? (4 pts.)
3) Describe the case reported by Leonard Page. What was that case about? What did Page conclude? (4 pts.)
4) What are some future issues involving e-mail systems and union activities? (3 pts.)
