The Wall Street Journal reports that McDonald’s has removed its “McResource” site, citing controversy over some of the information and advice that had been provided to its workers on the webpage. Workers’ rights groups, who have been pushing for higher wages for fast food workers, had mocked the website for including advice about applying for government benefits, how to find a second job, and stretching food budgets by portioning food differently.
One of Spain’s largest trade unions is accused of misappropriating nearly $2.5 million worth of funds intended to aid unemployed workers, according to the New York Times. The General Union of Workers denies wrongdoing, but is accused of diverting funds to pay for union events and gifts for union officials. A government investigation is ongoing and the amount of alleged missing funds could grow significantly.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is caught in a political bind as she seeks to introduce a federal minimum wage, reports the Wall Street Journal. The proposal was a vital concession to secure the support of the left-leaning Social Democrats for Merkel’s Christian Democratic Party, but is running into trouble over employer efforts to carve out exceptions for certain sectors of the labor market.
Paul Krugman of the New York Times writes that the weak job market and high unemployment is harmful not just to unemployed workers, but to those who have jobs as well, as it reduces their bargaining power with employers while they “live in a climate of economic fear”.
Daily News & Commentary
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August 30
Worker interviews raise concerns about the enforcement of California’s new indoor heat protections; SAG-AFTRA celebrates the progress of an AI regulation bill in California; preventable trench collapses threaten worker safety.
August 29
Federal labor and antitrust agencies enter agreement to collaborate on merger investigations; United Airlines Flight Attendants vote 99.99% for strike authorization; and Cornell and UAW reach tentative agreement on new labor contract.
August 28
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) found merit to allegations that Chipotle Mexican Grill violated federal labor law, over 4,000 Fred Meyers workers began a strike in Portland, Oregon, and unionized software workers filed a labor complaint against Activision Blizzard and Microsoft.
August 26
NLRB bids adieu to consent orders; New research on teachers' strikes; 5th Circuit vacates DOL rule.
August 23
NLRB: Amazon is joint employer of drivers; UAW threatens Stellantis strike; Canada intervenes in railway labor dispute.
August 22
Dartmouth College players union files an unfair labor charge and two prominent Canadian Railways are planning to institute worker lockouts.