Esther Ritchin is a student at Harvard Law School.
In today’s News & Commentary, Uber drivers protest the deactivation policy, Amazon workers continue the fight for fair treatment, and Florida companies face criticism for putting workers in harm’s way while facing Hurricane Milton.
Drivers with the Activate Respect campaign have long protested Uber’s “deactivation” policy, where the app terminates a driver’s ability to work for Uber without explanation or an appeal process. After Uber executives refused to meet with the campaign, drivers marched to Uber headquarters to deliver an open letter. According to posts on X, Uber executives refused to receive the letter. Drivers shared their stories with one another, with many describing being deactivated with no explanation or recourse after driving for Uber for many years, having their income suddenly cut off.
On Prime Day, Amazon’s two day sale event for Prime members, Amazon workers spoke out about their poor treatment at the hands of the company and ways Amazon can improve conditions for workers. In a series of videos posted on X, Amazon workers discussed their need for fair workloads, safe working conditions, and higher wages. Amazon workers at a warehouse in Queens, New York are also demanding that two of their coworkers are reinstated after alleging that they were fired unfairly.
Companies in Florida have faced criticism for not closing early enough in advance of Hurricane Milton, with many concerned employees will be put in harm’s way. Walt Disney announced on October 8 that it would be monitoring the storm, and other reporting indicated that Disney’s Florida parks were still open the morning and early afternoon of October 9. Waffle House faced similar criticism after a post on X indicating many of their Florida stores had closed as of 2 PM on October 9. Waffle House is known for staying open during extreme weather, giving rise to what the Federal Emergency Management Agency has called the “Waffle House index” as a way to measure how severe weather is. This phenomenon has been criticized as unfairly putting workers at risk.
Daily News & Commentary
Start your day with our roundup of the latest labor developments. See all
October 16
Department of Labor reduces wage-and-hour enforcement at unionized workplaces; Fain's victory poses question of federal monitor's extension.
October 15
New reporting examines the rollback of child labor protections; California tries to block a strike; NLRB charges Wisconsin mental health provider with firing workers during union drive.
October 14
Eleventh Circuit overturns ERISA exhaustion rule; DHS finalizes removal of automatic renewal for work permits; AFGE challenges SSA over flexible scheduling policy.
October 13
Chicago hotel workers remain on strike; a coalition of Democratic states sues the Labor Department over canceled unemployment insurance grants; the Federal Labor Relations Authority establishes a new mediation framework for federal worker disputes.
October 12
Workers at the Obama Foundation begin organizing; MLB submits its latest collective bargaining agreement proposal; Brigham & Women's nurses postpone strike.
October 11
UAW President Shawn Fain succeeds in his reelection bid, and Spanish unions call for a general strike.