Justin Cassera is a student at Harvard Law School.
In today’s news and commentary, Meta unveils new advertisements, “Blame-Democrats” emails are blocked by a federal court, and thousands protest in Portugal.
Meta recently unveiled new advertisements promoting the company’s recent data center construction in various parts of the United States. The commercials, featuring towns like Altoona, Iowa, and Los Lunas, New Mexico, characterize the data centers as an opportunity for job creation and economic growth in otherwise stagnating communities. Their website, titled “Building America,” includes statistics on financial commitments and quotes from elected officials. Critics of the data centers think promises of long-term job creation are dubious and highlight the “nonstop noise, pollution . . . and rapidly rising electric bills.”
On Friday, a federal court granted summary judgment in favor of the American Federation for Government Employees’ lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s use of partisan language in automated out-of-office emails from government employees during the government shutdown. Judge Christopher R. Cooper of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia stated that the practice infringed on the free speech rights of the employees whose emails had been commandeered. Following the ruling, AFGE issued a statement saying that the “Trump-Vance administration’s use of official government resources to spread partisan messaging using employees’ email was an unprecedented violation of the First Amendment, and the court’s ruling makes clear that even this administration is not above the law.”
On Saturday, tens of thousands of people protested proposed labor reforms in Portugal. The reforms, put forth by Portugal’s center-right government, would make it easier to dismiss workers and place limits on various pregnancy-related benefits. The reforms are expected to receive parliamentary approval as the government aims to improve productivity and mobility in the labor market. The protest was organized by the country’s main labor union, which has also announced a general strike beginning December 11.
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June 4
Third Circuit tosses DOL’s $35.8 million healthcare wage award; Trump’s Republican NLRB nominee gets Senate hearing; Harvard graduate students end strike.
June 3
JOLTS data shows mixed labor market as personal income declines; New York Fed research links remote work to rising youth unemployment; Virginia Governor Spanberger signs sweeping employment reform package.
June 2
Illinois passes rideshare driver unionization bill; DOL issues new union financial reporting rule; unions push back against AI data center regulations.
June 1
Federal judge declines to block New Jersey cannabis labor peace requirements; EEOC issues proposed rescission of rule protection companies undertaking voluntary affirmative action plans; Connecticut governor signs AI law requiring employers to give notice about use of AI in employment decision-making.
May 31
The disparity between corporate profits and worker pay hits a record high; Colorado Governor Jared Polis vetoes pro-union legislation; MLB announces its counteroffer in negotiations with the MLBPA.
May 29
Senators advance on college athlete rights bill; USDA strains OSHA with proposed meat production lines speed-up.