Maia Usui is a student at Harvard Law School.
The orchestras are on strike. Starting on Friday with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the musicians’ strike continued throughout the weekend with the Philadelphia Orchestra walking out on an opening-night performance. Musicians have taken to the picket line to protest falling wages. The New York Times has more.
In gig news, ride-hailing apps Uber and Lyft are now facing an interesting competitor. According to the New York Times, Juno is attracting new drivers not only with a bigger cut of fares — Juno takes a 10% commission, compared to the 20% taken by Uber and Lyft — but with the promise of equity ownership. Juno’s founders have set aside a pool of restricted stock for their highest-performing drivers, offering a creative new model for the gig economy.
Dreaming of retirement? For a growing number of Americans, it’ll have to remain a dream. Although retirement savings are up overall, researchers have found that the gains have not been evenly distributed — half of all families in the U.S. have less than $5,000 in their retirement accounts. The Boston Globe takes a closer look at the problem of retirement inequality.
And across the pond, Prime Minister Theresa May is turning her attention to labor reform. After setting a firm start date (March 2017) for launching the Brexit process, May’s administration has been quick to reassure workers that their rights will be protected in the transition. May also announced this week that she’ll be reviewing regulations governing Britain’s growing gig economy. Meanwhile, unions are calling on her to honor her campaign promise to put worker representatives on corporate boards. The Financial Times has more.
Daily News & Commentary
Start your day with our roundup of the latest labor developments. See all
December 2
Fourth Circuit rejects broad reading of NLRA’s managerial exception; OPM cancels reduced tuition program for federal employees; Starbucks will pay $39 million for violating New York City’s Fair Workweek law; Mamdani and Sanders join striking baristas outside a Brooklyn Starbucks.
December 1
California farmworkers defend state labor law, cities consider requiring companies to hire delivery drivers, Supreme Court takes FAA last-mile drivers case.
November 30
In today’s news and commentary, the MSPB issues its first precedential ruling since regaining a quorum; Amazon workers lead strikes and demonstrations in multiple countries; and Starbucks workers expand their indefinite strike to additional locations. Last week, the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) released its first precedential decision in eight months. The MSPB had been […]
November 28
Lawsuit against EEOC for failure to investigate disparate-impact claims dismissed; DHS to end TPS for Haiti; Appeal of Cemex decision in Ninth Circuit may soon resume
November 27
Amazon wins preliminary injunction against New York’s private sector bargaining law; ALJs resume decisions; and the CFPB intends to make unilateral changes without bargaining.
November 26
In today’s news and commentary, NLRB lawyers urge the 3rd Circuit to follow recent district court cases that declined to enjoin Board proceedings; the percentage of unemployed Americans with a college degree reaches its highest level since tracking began in 1992; and a member of the House proposes a bill that would require secret ballot […]