Emily Miller is a student at Harvard Law School.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Senate democrats are raising concerns about the integrity and independence of statistics release by the Department of Labor under President Trump, such as as the monthly jobs report and consumer price index. Senator Patty Murray and seven colleagues sent a letter to the White House last week asking Trump to commit to “neutral and unbiased reports on our country’s labor market and unemployment rate.” Their concerns stem from Trump’s statements during his campaign criticizing DOL statistics, such as calling the unemployment rate “one of the biggest hoaxes in American modern politics.” House Democrats sent a similar letter last month. Trump has not yet nominated a Commissioner for the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
On Friday, the New York City Council considered six labor bills, many focusing specifically on improving working conditions for fast food workers, reports Politico. One would require fast food employers to pay employees $100 for any shift where they opened and closed the restaurant in two consecutive shifts. Others focused on scheduling predictability. For example, one bill would require employers to provide employees with their schedules two weeks in advance or provide “predictability pay,” and another would prohibit employers from using “on call” scheduling. Labor and advocacy groups, such as the SEIU, Better Balance, and the National Organization for Women, have called on the City Council to adopt the bill.
A recent article in the Washington Post explores whether the burgeoning trade relationships between China and various African countries may be detrimental to labor rights in Africa. The Post reports that, while the overall effect of trade with China on African labor rights is small, labor standards have declined substantially in countries where exports to China have increased most. There are two possible reasons that trading with China may have a detrimental impact on labor standards. First, producers likely feel pressure to keep labor costs low to avoid losing business with Chinese importers. Second, as China itself has a poor record on labor rights, there is limited accountability if African labor violations are reported to importers.
As people live longer and healthier lives, the New York Times reports that Americans are working longer as well. Over 18% of Americans 65 and older were employed in 2016, as compared to 13% in 2000. That number is expected to increase to 32% over the next five years. Education may also be a factor contributing to the increase, as workers are more likely employed in jobs that are less physically demanding than in the past.
Daily News & Commentary
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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 […]
June 27
Labor's role in Zohran Mamdani's victory; DHS funding amendment aims to expand guest worker programs; COSELL submission deadline rapidly approaching
June 26
A district judge issues a preliminary injunction blocking agencies from implementing Trump’s executive order eliminating collective bargaining for federal workers; workers organize for the reinstatement of two doctors who were put on administrative leave after union activity; and Lamont vetoes unemployment benefits for striking workers.
June 25
Some circuits show less deference to NLRB; 3d Cir. affirms return to broader concerted activity definition; changes to federal workforce excluded from One Big Beautiful Bill.
June 24
In today’s news and commentary, the DOL proposes new wage and hour rules, Ford warns of EV battery manufacturing trouble, and California reaches an agreement to delay an in-person work mandate for state employees. The Trump Administration’s Department of Labor has advanced a series of proposals to update federal wage and hour rules. First, the […]