Labor law question

[Agent Plissken]

Serious question, please help.

Lets say there is a unionized manufacturing company in New Jersey. The union is considering going on strike, and the plant is telling the professional staff (scientists, engineers, etc) that they will have to work in the capacity of the union workers during their strike. My question: is this legal? Can they force a 60 yr old scientist to perform the task a 23 yr old normally does. The safety traing requirements alone would be in violation I think. But what other laws may this be infringing on incase they are willing to go thru all of the safety training. Please tell me what you think about the situation. If they hired this scientist on to do research, are they legally allowed to tell him to do something outside of that category? Can they fire him if he didnt comply?
I know you guys (and gals) can help, let me know what you think... and thanks.

[MikeD]

Serious question, please help.

Lets say there is a unionized manufacturing company in New Jersey. The union is considering going on strike, and the plant is telling the professional staff (scientists, engineers, etc) that they will have to work in the capacity of the union workers during their strike. My question: is this legal? Can they force a 60 yr old scientist to perform the task a 23 yr old normally does. The safety traing requirements alone would be in violation I think. But what other laws may this be infringing on incase they are willing to go thru all of the safety training. Please tell me what you think about the situation. If they hired this scientist on to do research, are they legally allowed to tell him to do something outside of that category? Can they fire him if he didnt comply?
I know you guys (and gals) can help, let me know what you think... and thanks.

I worked at UPS when they went on strike a few years ago. We had to pick up the slack, no matter what it was. You make a good point about the safety violations, but unless something in writing states that you can only do specific tasks...it's probably up to the company's discretion.

[Thesifer]

They won't be too happy when all of their scientists and engineers decide to find a better job though :)

[Agent Plissken]

He is old though and not interested in starting a new job before retirement... but if it comes to it, may resist their demand to the point of early retirment (not his first choice)
Anybody have anything?! Help an old scientist out!

[ialsohaveadream]

My guess is that his job description has that famous line "Other duties as assigned". This would arguably fall under that description. I would tell him to talk to his immediate supervisor and ask what sort of duties they'll be expected to do.