The U.S. Dept. of Labor has initiated rulemaking on the notice that must be posted by federal contractors informing employees of their rights under Federal labor laws, including their right to organize under the National Labor Relations Act.

On January 30, 2009, President Obama signed Executive Order 13496 which reiterated “the declaration of national labor policy” contained in the NLRA ‘‘encouraging the practice and procedure of collective bargaining” and “protecting the exercise by workers of full freedom of association, self-organization, and designation of representatives of their own choosing, for the purpose of negotiating the terms and conditions of their employment or other mutual aid or protection.”

The DOL’s proposed rule establishes standards and procedures for implementing and enforcing the Executive Order; the prescribed requirements for the size, form and content of the employee notice, exceptions for certain types of contracts, and exemptions that may be applicable to contracting departments and agencies; complaint procedures, compliance evaluations, and enforcement of the rule. Comments regarding the proposed rule must be received by the DOL on or before September 2, 2009.