United States: The NLRB’s General Counsel Issues Guidance On The New Accelerated Election Rules

On April 14, 2015, the National Labor Relations Board’s controversial “quickie election” rule goes into effect. This week, the NLRB’s General Counsel, Richard F. Griffin, issued a 36-page guidance memorandum outlining the Board’s new representation election procedures under the rule (NLRB Office of the General Counsel, Memorandum 15-06 (April 6, 2015)). The General Counsel asserts that the new rule does not “establish new timeframes for conducting elections or issuing decisions.” However, almost […]

By | April 9th, 2015 ||

United States: Is It A Perk Or A Plan? Big “B” Or Little “b”

Earlier this week, Starbucks announced that it is expanding its tuition reimbursement program to include more employees. One article I read actually referred to as it as a “tuition plan.” I don’t pretend to understand the details of their arrangement, but in discussing the concept with another attorney, it reminded me that there can sometimes be considerable confusion over what constitutes a benefit plan as opposed to just a general “benefit” to […]

By | April 9th, 2015 ||

Canada: Pension Investment Rules Modernized And Clarified

On March 25, the Minister of Finance released the latest series of amendments to the Pension Benefits Standards Regulations. Among other things, key amendments to the pension investment rules modernize the rules by replacing outdated definitions and clarifying certain aspects. These amendments come into force on July 1, 2016.

Deeming Provision Broadened

Investments held through an investment fund (whether established by a corporation, limited partnership or trust), a segregated fund or a trust fund in which […]

By | April 8th, 2015 ||