Mackenzie Bouverat is a student at Harvard Law School.
The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists union has filed an unfair labor practice claim against New York Public Radio after NYPR laid off 14 employees, including a shop steward. In a tweet, the union alleges that “was fired for doing his job, asking questions and helping members.” The complaint filed with the National Labor Relations Board, as well as SAG-AFTRA’s press release, alleges that the station and WNYC Editor-in-Chief Audrey Cooper have been “engaging in surveillance and providing the impression of surveillance” of union activity, “ignoring the contractual grievance process and collective bargaining agreement” and issuing “disciplines, warnings and threats” to employees.
In the wake of a corruption scandal involving the embezzlement of over $1.5 million in union money by officials, hundreds of UAW members support a campaign to have the UAW hold direct elections for union president. For the past seventy years, the UAW has been run by a single party or caucus, with each union president having considerable sway in choosing his successor. A referendum on the matter, overseen by a judge-appointed independent monitor, is scheduled for early September 2021. Scott Houldieson, a Chicago-based UAW member, said on the matter: “The corruption scandal is just a symptom of the UAW’s one-party state. We’re hoping that with direct elections, we can break up the one-party state and have checks and balances to not only prevent future corruption, but to get back to our relationship of fighting for the betterment of our members, rather than collaborating with the companies. I think that when members have the ability to directly elect the top leaders who represent them, it’s going to make a big difference.”
A False Claims Act whistleblower asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review a July 2019 decision to vacate a $1.5 million jury award for unlawful retaliation against ManTech International Corp., arguing in his petition for review that a lower court relied on an “outdated” version of the False Claims Act to side with the NASA contractor in Lillie v. ManTech Int’l Corp. , U.S., No. 20-1625, 5/24/21. David Lillie, the petitioner, alleged he was fired for calling attention to ManTech’s failure to comply with rules to protect the files of another NASA contractor, Lockheed Martin Corp. According to Lillie’s petition docketed Monday, the district court erred by not relying on a 2009 FCA amendment that expanded the scope of protection for whistleblowers such that it applied to Lillie. The amendments extend whistleblower protection to cover not only those who actually file a whistleblower suit, but also those who refuse to participate in wrongdoing.
Daily News & Commentary
Start your day with our roundup of the latest labor developments. See all
July 4
The DOL scraps a Biden-era proposed rule to end subminimum wages for disabled workers; millions will lose access to Medicaid and SNAP due to new proof of work requirements; and states step up in the noncompete policy space.
July 3
California compromises with unions on housing; 11th Circuit rules against transgender teacher; Harvard removes hundreds from grad student union.
July 2
Block, Nanda, and Nayak argue that the NLRA is under attack, harming democracy; the EEOC files a motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought by former EEOC Commissioner Jocelyn Samuels; and SEIU Local 1000 strikes an agreement with the State of California to delay the state's return-to-office executive order for state workers.
July 1
In today’s news and commentary, the Department of Labor proposes to roll back minimum wage and overtime protections for home care workers, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit by public defenders over a union’s Gaza statements, and Philadelphia’s largest municipal union is on strike for first time in nearly 40 years. On Monday, the U.S. […]
June 30
Antidiscrimination scholars question McDonnell Douglas, George Washington University Hospital bargained in bad faith, and NY regulators defend LPA dispensary law.
June 29
In today’s news and commentary, Trump v. CASA restricts nationwide injunctions, a preliminary injunction continues to stop DOL from shutting down Job Corps, and the minimum wage is set to rise in multiple cities and states. On Friday, the Supreme Court held in Trump v. CASA that universal injunctions “likely exceed the equitable authority that […]