Details are out on the proposed four-year contract between Fait Chrysler Automobiles and the United Automobile Workers union. According to the New York Times, the changes include wage increases for all hourly works in the United States, and narrow the hourly pay rate between novice and veteran workers. The deal also includes a signing bonus for all workers, and a new model for healthcare spending, including a health care cooperative. The agreement may become a template for the industry, as the union prepares to negotiate with G.M. and Ford. In spite of the positive news for the UAW, the Wall Street Journal reports that Fiat Chrysler plans to cut costs by moving some car production to Mexico.
After a labor battle more than two decades, and an administrative hearing with testimony lasting 105 days, an administrative law judge ruled in favor of the United Farm Workers against California’s largest peach grower. The UFW will continue to represent the workers at Gerawan Farms. In 2013, Gerawan workers signed in 2013 to end their union representation, but the workers’ votes were never counted. According to the Los Angeles Times, the judge found that “Gerawan Farms unduly influenced the 2013 decertification effort by giving preferential treatment to workers organizing the [decertification] campaign.” Although this is a big victory for the UFW, the union faces an uphill battle: the California Supreme Court is reviewing the current contract between Gerawan and the UFW, reached through a mediated process that allegedly violated Gerawan’s constitutional rights.
In a break from headlines about European governments rejecting immigrants, the New York Times writes that Germany “sees the migration wave as not only a challenge but an opportunity.” Although Germany has placed tight controls on its border, Chancellor Merkel is mounting a campaign, in concert with the country’s largest businesses, to fast track refugees for jobs. Fast-tracking may address Germany’s labor shortage and offset concerns about an aging population. Critics fear that fast-tracking jobs for refugees will raise ethnic tensions, or displace current German residents from their positions.
Target is the latest target for union organizing. Pharmacy employees in a Brooklyn store formed the first union at the company in its 50-plus years. Target, a known opponent of unions, has already challenged the vote with the National Labor Relations Board. The vote has limited impact, since the pharmacy employees will soon be CVS members. (CVS is buying Target’s pharmacy business.) Nonetheless, Gawker writes that this is “a pretty big symbolic victory for the movement.”
Daily News & Commentary
Start your day with our roundup of the latest labor developments. See all
July 6
Municipal workers in Philadelphia continue to strike; Zohran Mamdani collects union endorsements; UFCW grocery workers in California and Colorado reach tentative agreements.
July 4
The DOL scraps a Biden-era proposed rule to end subminimum wages for disabled workers; millions will lose access to Medicaid and SNAP due to new proof of work requirements; and states step up in the noncompete policy space.
July 3
California compromises with unions on housing; 11th Circuit rules against transgender teacher; Harvard removes hundreds from grad student union.
July 2
Block, Nanda, and Nayak argue that the NLRA is under attack, harming democracy; the EEOC files a motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought by former EEOC Commissioner Jocelyn Samuels; and SEIU Local 1000 strikes an agreement with the State of California to delay the state's return-to-office executive order for state workers.
July 1
In today’s news and commentary, the Department of Labor proposes to roll back minimum wage and overtime protections for home care workers, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit by public defenders over a union’s Gaza statements, and Philadelphia’s largest municipal union is on strike for first time in nearly 40 years. On Monday, the U.S. […]
June 30
Antidiscrimination scholars question McDonnell Douglas, George Washington University Hospital bargained in bad faith, and NY regulators defend LPA dispensary law.