News Summary
A report from LaborLab reveals significant noncompliance among labor consultants in Central Florida, particularly in the union avoidance industry. Consultants, often hired to discourage unionization, frequently fail to adhere to federal disclosure regulations. Labor Pros, a prominent firm, exemplifies this trend with high-profile clients and substantial fees. While the legality of hiring such consultants remains, their lack of compliance raises concerns over workplace transparency and workers’ rights. The report indicates a need for stronger enforcement of existing regulations to protect workers from deceptive practices.
Orlando, Florida – A recent report from the nonprofit watchdog group LaborLab has revealed significant noncompliance among labor consultants in Central Florida, particularly within the “union avoidance” or “union busting” industry. The findings highlight ongoing issues related to federal disclosure regulations mandated by the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA).
Consultants, commonly known as persuaders, union busters, or labor consultants, have been found to frequently bypass required reporting to the federal Department of Labor (DOL) when they are hired to persuade employees against unionization. These consultants typically charge substantial fees, often exceeding $400 per hour or thousands of dollars per day, for efforts aimed at discouraging workers from forming unions.
Labor Pros, an Orlando-based union avoidance firm led by founder Nekeya Nunn, is among the notable consultants in the region. This firm has worked with high-profile clients such as Guitar Center, Hilton Hotels, and Goodwill. For instance, Goodwill reportedly paid Labor Pros $3,750 per day to deter employees at its Colorado location from unionizing with the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7. Prior to the intervention of Labor Pros, approximately 65% of Goodwill employees supported unionization, but after consultant involvement, support dwindled, resulting in a union election where employees ultimately voted against unionizing by a tally of 59 to 42.
Despite having over two decades of experience in the industry, Labor Pros did not submit the required financial disclosure reports for the current year. LaborLab’s assessment indicated that as of June 30, 2025, fewer than half of the required LM-21 reports were filed by union avoidance consultants. Specifically, out of the 159 LM-21 reports due, only 68 were filed, with 55 submitted on time and 13 submitted late. Additionally, around 43% of employers listed in the persuaders’ disclosure reports neglected to submit corresponding employer reports, known as LM-10s, which obscures the true financial details pertaining to union avoidance efforts.
Other consultants, such as Wildine Pierre Barrett of Bridge Labor Solutions, were noted for having sub-contracted involvement in multiple union busting campaigns last year. Reports indicate that some of these consultants have employed aggressive and deceptive tactics aimed at undermining unionization efforts, including the use of fake names and intimidation tactics. In one alarming instance, a consultant allegedly warned undocumented workers at a local bake shop that they could face deportation if they voted in favor of unionization.
Although hiring union avoidance consultants is not illegal, they are obligated to adhere to federal disclosure requirements established by the LMRDA to promote transparency. However, enforcement of these requirements has been criticized as being weak. In contrast, compliance with reporting requirements among unions has significantly improved, suggesting greater reliability compared to that of union avoidance consultants.
Federal audits have illustrated that the DOL’s Office of Labor-Management Standards encounters challenges in effectively monitoring the compliance of disclosure obligations. Without proper reporting, employers and consultants can operate in secrecy, thus undermining the rights of workers to organize, according to LaborLab’s executive director.
A discussion is ongoing regarding the legality and ethical standards associated with the practices of union avoidance consultants. For workers who may suspect they have been subjected to persuasion tactics or other underhanded practices, resources are available to report such activities to the DOL, including a dedicated tip line.
As the scrutiny of the union avoidance consultant industry continues, the importance of compliance with transparency regulations remains critical to protecting workers’ rights in labor relations.
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Additional Resources
- Orlando Weekly: Union Busters Compliance Report
- Wikipedia: Union Busting
- Orlando Weekly: Legal Dispute with Brightline
- Google Search: Union Busting
- In These Times: Anti-Union Senate Bill
- Google Scholar: Union Busting Consultants
- Orlando Weekly: Trucking Company Union Busting
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Labor Law
- Orlando Weekly: Republican Bills on Unions
- Google News: Florida Unions
Author: STAFF HERE ORLANDO WRITER
ORLANDO STAFF WRITER The ORLANDO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOrlando.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Orlando, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Megacon Orlando, and Central Florida Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Orlando Economic Partnership and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando, plus leading businesses in leisure and hospitality that power the local economy such as Walt Disney World Resort, AdventHealth, and Universal Orlando. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
