[Updated] Today, the Wisconsin Assembly begins the final stages of debate on a “right to work” bill, Reuters reports. Assuming it passes, Governor Scott Walker could sign it as early as next week. Reuters spoke with Ben Sachs, who explained that the law could weaken unions over time, and because unions typically support Democrats, this could eventually “disable[] the political opposition.” We’ve explained the background of this bill and posted a legal analysis.
An op-ed in the Wall Street Journal argues that Wisconsin’s new “right to work” bill will increase economic competitiveness in that state. It cites evidence from the Bureau of Labor Statistics that “right to work” states have seen a faster increase in job growth between 2003 and 2013 than non-“right to work” states. CNBC News, however, writes that other researchers have found that “right to work” laws do not increase job growth at all.
The Washington Post and ProPublica both have reports on newly emerging flaws in the nation’s workers’ compensation system. The ProPublica investigative report documents how states have dramatically weakened workers’ compensation in the past two decades. It found that since 2003, 33 states have past laws limiting which employees can access compensation, and how much payment they can receive. It argues that this shifts the costs of workplace accidents to taxpayers and the injured worker. The Post adds that a on a recent Department of Labor report found that low-wage workers, and especially Latino workers, are disproportionately injured on the job. And because many of these workers are misclassified as independent contractors, they are less likely to report the injury, and less able to seek compensation.
In sports news, the New York Times reports that Major League Soccer players may go on strike. The players’ union and the league are in a dispute over salaries and free agency rules. Last year, the minimum salary was $36,500, and free agents (players who could be redrafted by another team) could only be paid at their pre-existing salary rate. The players union wants free agents to have the ability to negotiate for a higher salary and then choose which offer to accept, rather than being assigned to a new team with no say in the matter. A strike could be called as early as Wednesday.
The Center for Popular Democracy and the Economic Policy Institute, two liberal groups, have issued a new report calling on the Federal Reserve to “craft a monetary policy” that is conscious of the racial disparity in the job market, the New York Times reports. According to the Times, black unemployment remains higher than white employment, and black workers have seen a greater decrease in median wages since the recession began than white workers have. However, the Times argues that the Fed’s monetary policy can have little effect on this disparity.
The Washington Post published an interview with Larry Summers about the effect of automation on middle class jobs. Summers argued that technology is contributing to the elimination of middle class jobs and leading to income inequality. Moreover, he argued that providing more education won’t fix the income inequality problem—rather, workers need more power, and the country needs more progressive taxation.
Daily News & Commentary
Start your day with our roundup of the latest labor developments. See all
October 10
California bans algorithmic price-fixing; New York City Council passes pay transparency bills; and FEMA questions staff who signed a whistleblowing letter.
October 9
Equity and the Broadway League resume talks amid a looming strike; federal judge lets alcoholism ADA suit proceed; Philadelphia agrees to pay $40,000 to resolve a First Amendment retaliation case.
October 8
In today’s news and commentary, the Trump administration threatens no back pay for furloughed federal workers; the Second Circuit denies a request from the NFL for an en banc review in the Brian Flores case; and Governor Gavin Newsom signs an agreement to create a pathway for unionization for Uber and Lyft drivers.
October 7
The Supreme Court kicks off its latest term, granting and declining certiorari in several labor-related cases.
October 6
EEOC regains quorum; Second Circuit issues opinion on DEI causing hostile work environment.
October 5
In today’s news and commentary, HELP committee schedules a vote on Trump’s NLRB nominees, the 5th Circuit rejects Amazon’s request for en banc review, and TV production workers win their first union contract. After a nomination hearing on Wednesday, the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee scheduled a committee vote on President Trump’s NLRB nominees […]