Maia Usui is a student at Harvard Law School.
On the campaign trail, President Trump pledged that he would create 25 million jobs over the next decade. Will he keep his promise? The New York Times thinks not. The Editorial Board takes aim at the President’s “wheezing jobs effort,” pointing to his recently released budget proposal — which would cut the Department of Labor’s budget by 21% and eliminate several important jobs programs — and his neglect of important job markets, such as the clean energy sector.
President Trump’s labor policies have also attracted the ire of unions and labor leaders. The SEIU and Food Chain Workers Alliance have announced a general strike on May 1 (#May1Strike), coinciding with International Workers’ Day. More than 300,000 food chain employees and 40,000 service workers are expected to turn out, The Hill reports, to protest the Trump administration and in particular its hardline stance on immigration.
Meanwhile, the administration’s immigration crackdown has worsened the farm labor shortage in California, The Los Angeles Times reports. Although farm wages have shot up, few Americans have been willing to accept those jobs — casting doubt on President Trump’s claim that tougher borders will help American-born workers.
Disney will be paying $3.8 million in back wages to 16,339 of its “cast members” as part of a settlement with the Department of Labor. The DOL’s investigation revealed that Disney resorts in Florida deducted a “costume” expense that caused some employees’ hourly rates to fall below the federal minimum wage. The Christian Science Monitor has more.
As reports spread of “rogue” federal employees using private communications channels — including encrypted messaging apps — to organize against the Trump administration, questions have been raised as to whether such incognito communications are legal under public records laws, such as the Federal Records Act. A recent decision from the California Supreme Court could offer some hints. In City of San Jose v. Superior Court (Smith), the state high court ruled that emails and text messages sent on public officials’ private devices are subject to disclosure under the California Public Records Act. JDSupra provides detailed analysis.
Finally, a new piece in The Harvard Business Review argues that the traditional workplace — the office — could be turning obsolete in today’s gig economy. As workers and businesses realize the value of independent and remote work, “office-bound” work might no longer be the most efficient option.
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June 20
Three state bills challenge Garmon preemption; Wisconsin passes a bill establishing portable benefits for gig workers; and a sharp increase in workplace ICE raids contribute to a nationwide labor shortage.
June 19
Report finds retaliatory action by UAW President; Senators question Trump's EEOC pick; California considers new bill to address federal labor law failures.
June 18
Companies dispute NLRB regional directors' authority to make rulings while the Board lacks a quorum; the Department of Justice loses 4,500 employees to the Trump Administration's buyout offers; and a judge dismisses Columbia faculty's lawsuit over the institution's funding cuts.
June 17
NLRB finds a reporter's online criticism of the Washington Post was not protected activity under federal labor law; top union leaders leave the Democratic National Committee amid internal strife; Uber reaches a labor peace agreement with Chicago drivers.
June 16
California considers bill requiring human operators inside autonomous delivery vehicles; Eighth Circuit considers challenge to Minnesota misclassification law and whether "having a family to support" is a gendered comment.
June 15
ICE holds back on some work site raids as unions mobilize; a Maryland judge approves a $400M settlement for poultry processing workers in an antitrust case; and an OMB directive pushes federal agencies to use union PLAs.