Jim Hackett, CEO of Ford Motor Company, apologized to Ford employees last week following accusations of sexual harassment in two Chicago plants to which the plants responded inadequately. Hackett published an open letter expressing a zero tolerance policy for workplace harassment. The letter was published in response to a New York Times profile of rampant misconduct at the two plants.
“Employers Are Looking for Job Candidates in the Wrong Places” according to Lolade Fadulu of the Atlantic. For example, Fadulu points out that there is a shortage of health-management workers in D.C. and of retail workers in Philadelphia. The problem is exacerbated by employers’ unwillingness to view nontraditional education as credible. Trump’s administration, including Education Secretary Betsy Devos, has emphasized apprenticeships as a means of promoting employment opportunities. Along similar lines, Fadulu urges employers to look beyond attainment of a bachelor’s degree and to give more weight to skills-based training.
The LA Times covers union interest in organizing the legal marijuana industry. Both the United Farm Workers and United Food and Commercial Workers have expressed interest. According to some estimates, the recreational marijuana industry (CA voters approved recreational marijuana sales—there was already a legal medical marijuana market—last year) could employ more than 100,000 workers.
At the Atlantic, Vahini Vara asks if unions can stop the far right. Using the German election as reference, Vara draws parallels and lays out the implications for U.S. politics.
Daily News & Commentary
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August 12
Third Circuit affirms dismissal of driver’s bias and retaliation claims against CBS and Teamsters; employment litigation surges in Washington state; MIT Sloan professor argues the rise of “disposable workers” is transforming American employment.
August 11
Rideshare drivers nearing union certification in California; UFCW campaigns against electronic shelf labels; Teamsters support NYC delivery driver bill.
August 10
Employee sues for a fossil-fuel-free 401(k) plan as a religious accommodation; DHS submits a proposed rule eliminating 60-day grace period for H-1B workers; Eighth Circuit dismisses constitutional challenge to the FMSHRC.
August 7
Starbucks beats claims it denied shifts to union workers; Center for State Labor Innovation aims to address labor law shortcomings.
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.