Sam Ehrlich, an assistant professor of management, has received the American Business Law Journal (ABLJ) Excellence in Research Award at the 2025 Academy of Legal Studies in Business. The recognition was given for his paper titled “The Paradox of ‘Non-Union Unions’: The Risk of Extending Antitrust Immunities Without Labor Law’s Protection.”
Ehrlich’s research explores recent efforts to grant collective bargaining rights to labor groups that are not classified as employees. This movement gained traction following a 2022 federal court decision permitting jockeys in Puerto Rico, who were independent contractors, to collectively bargain.
In his paper, Ehrlich argues that extending these rights without including existing labor law protections could potentially weaken the power of labor. He points out that this approach may inadvertently benefit employers by allowing them to influence new forms of labor organizations, particularly among non-employee groups such as those found in college athletics and the gig economy.
Ehrlich calls on policymakers to thoroughly assess how collective bargaining exemptions are implemented. He emphasizes the importance of ensuring that all workers receive adequate protection and that labor rights remain balanced before making changes to current policies.
“I hope my work encourages a more thoughtful approach to expanding collective bargaining rights,” Ehrlich said.
