Ehrlich wins American Business Excellence in Research Award

Sam Ehrlich, assistant professor of management, won the American Business Law Journal (ABLJ) Excellence in Research Award at the 2025 Academy of Legal Studies in Business for his paper, "The Paradox of 'Non-Union Unions': The Risk of Extending Antitrust Immunities Without Labor Law's Protection."

The paper examines the growing movement to extend collective bargaining rights to non-employee labor groups, which gained momentum after a 2022 federal court decision that allowed a group of jockeys in Puerto Rico to collectively bargain, even though they were independent contractors. Ehrlich's paper argues that while expanding these rights may seem beneficial, doing so without the worker protections offered under existing labor laws could actually weaken labor's power.

Ehrlich showcases how new "non-employee" groups such as college athletics and the gig economy could unintentionally favor employers, creating situations where companies can shape labor organizations to their own advantage.

Overall, the paper calls for policymakers to carefully consider how collective bargaining exemptions are applied, reminding them to first ensure that all workers are protected and that labor rights remain balanced and effective before rushing ahead into a new frontier.

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