Through the Office of Management & Budget, the Obama Administration indicates that two proposed rules of interest to the QSR industry will not be finalized this year as originally expected.  The Department of Labor’s so-called Persuader Rule, which was to be finalized in December, 2015 has now been delayed until March of next year.  The rule is part and parcel of the NLRB “Ambush Election” process and would require disclosure of attorneys and consultants who discuss labor issues with employers in the face of a union representation election.  Reportable activities under the proposal would include “any actions, conduct or communications on behalf of an employer that could directly or indirectly persuade workers concerning their right to organize and bargain collectively.” In that vein, it would effectively silence employer opposition to union organizing efforts, substantially interfere with an employer’s ability to obtain legal advice on labor issues and dramatically restricting an employer’s attorney-client privilege.  Similarly, the Department of Labor is now not expected to finalize its overtime rule until July 2016.  The proposed overtime rule, announced this past July, would effectively double the threshold for exempting certain employees from overtime pay. That threshold, which is currently $23,660, would spike to $50,440 and subsequently be tied to inflation under the proposed rule, should it be finalized as is.