Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has authored an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal arguing that “[i]t is time for Congress to save the Postal Service, not dismantle it.” Senator Sanders argues in support of the Postal Service Protection Act, proposed legislation that he introduced in the Upper House. The bill proposes two changes: ending prefunding of the future retiree health fund and ending restrictions on the Postal Service’s flexibility to offer new products and services, such as financial services.
The New York Times reports on rising tensions between NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio and Eva Moskowitz, who runs the City’s Success Academy Charter Schools. Last week, the Mayor’s office cancelled plans for 3 new Success Academy schools. Mayor de Blasio has said that the Success Academy charters—staffed by nonunionized employees—have a “destructive impact” on public schools. Supporters of the charters note that Success Academy students consistently outperform their public school peers on state tests.
In a New York Times op-ed, Thomas B. Edsall examines economic literature on the relationship between inequality and economic performance. He analyzes the work of both conservative and liberal economists, as well the politics surrounding issue of wealth and inequality.
In international news, after being criticized for demanding government assistance as a condition for continuing its minivan production in Canada, Fiat-Chrysler withdrew its request. Instead, the New York Times reports that the automaker plans to make big investments in two Ontario factories without government aid. Jerry Dias, national president of Unifor—the union formerly known as the Canadian Auto Workers—reacted positively to the news, but noted “the importance of developing a long-term strategy, including public investment, if we want to have a strong, competitive advanced manufacturing sector.”
Daily News & Commentary
Start your day with our roundup of the latest labor developments. See all
August 6
Taylor Farms faces scrutiny over labor practices; Bipartisan labor bill gains momentum.
August 5
Clash over potential change to Canada’s labor code; Harvard’s Center for Labor and a Just Economy releases model sectoral bargaining laws; NJ sues Amazon for antitrust violations.
August 4
WestJet reaches a deal to end a flight attendant strike; the NLRB rules Whole Foods legally banned Black Lives Matter display; a commentary argues college athletes should have the right to collectively bargain.
August 3
Queens College faculty stage protest; UAW holds presidential debate; the Protect College Sports Act gets new life.
August 2
WestJet flight attendants go on strike, and the American Federation of Government Employees challenges another VA attempt to terminate its collective bargaining agreement.
July 31
Legislators move to end mandatory arbitration in employment contracts; NYC tip laws result in greater pay for delivery workers; women's college basketball players seek to unionize.