Continuation of post introducing various HR issues being addressed in Washington DC and providing additional information on each topic.

Washington is much more union-friendly now that it was before the 2008 elections. Watch for Congress to pass laws allowing employees to unionize by signing cards (rather than by a secret ballot vote). Democrats will now also gain control of the National Labor Relations Board, which governs the area of business-union relations. Congress also seems more likely to raise the minimum wage again, perhaps to as high as $10/hour. Congress also may again explore “living wage” legislation, which could result in even higher minimum wage standards.