Warning to Growers: Response Time to PERB Shortened
It is happening. Just this past week, another New York State fruit farm received notice from the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) stating that dues authorization cards have been submitted to them by the
UFW union. If PERB receives enough signed cards filed by a union on behalf of the employees of a particular employer, notice is sent to the employer by certified mail. From the date the certified mail notice is signed
for, the employer only has 8 calendar days to respond. If you do not respond in that short time window, all ability to challenge the union is lost. Make sure if certified mail arrives at a farm office or the home of one of the
owners, is opened right away and dealt with. 8 days will go by very fast. You need to immediately get a lawyer. This is not a task for your local real-estate or business lawyer. There are only a few law firms in the country
that have experience in handling this and I would be glad to recommend a few if you do receive a notice from PERB. PLEASE. Re read this notice and share it with all owners, managers and office staff. Everyone needs
to know that a certified mail notice from PERB needs to be handled as soon as it is received.
Jim Bittner
Exective Director
NYS Horticultural Society.
Jim@bittnerfarm
716 778 7330
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