Gilbert Placeres is a student at Harvard Law School.
In today’s News & Commentary, the UAW’s federal monitor criticized for involving himself in the Union’s Gaza stance, EPA staffers win scientific integrity protections, and a DOJ working group asks for stronger federal protections against sexual misconduct.
In In These Times, former Congressman Andy Levin and law professor Sanjukta Paul ask why the UAW’s federal monitor is involving himself in the Union’s stance against Israel’s actions in Gaza. The monitor was appointed by a federal judge in 2021 as part of a settlement to resolve fraud and corruption charges against the Union and several of its officers. (The charges concerned a bribery and kickback scheme between Union officials and Chrysler (now Stellantis). Another provision of the settlement was direct elections, the first of which led to the rise of a reform slate and current President Shawn Fain.) Although the monitor’s scope is related to those charges, he has twice expressed concern to the UAW about their stance against Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. First, he called Fain personally and, later, forwarded a letter from the Anti-Defamation League. Levin and Paul argue the monitor has unethically used his position to influence the Union and the judge should seriously consider replacing him.
Staff at the Environmental Protection Agency ratified a new contract that aims to insulate their scientific work from inappropriate interference, including political meddling. Staffers will now be protected from retaliation in reporting scientific integrity violations. The move is seen as aimed to guard against a potential second Trump presidency and the targeting of civil service protections that could follow.
Elsewhere in the federal workforce, a Justice Department working group wrote a letter urging the Biden administration to take action against sexual misconduct in federal workplaces. The DOJ Gender Equality Network argues there are not currently adequate response systems to sexual misconduct across all federal agencies. The letter comes after a string of federal sexual misconduct reports, including at the Drug Enforcement Agency. The group calls for regular climate surveys and centralized reporting systems and investigations.
Daily News & Commentary
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July 3
Unions seek a preliminary injunction to prevent USDA downsizing; the D.C. District Court issues a preliminary injunction against new student loan regulations; Matt Bruenig releases an analysis of Starbucks’ ongoing legal battle against Starbucks Workers United.
July 2
First Circuit denies federal worker unions’ mandamus petition; federal court denies preliminary injunction against new union reporting rule; House introduces the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act.
July 1
Trump nominates Keith Sonderling as Labor Secretary; DOL eliminates disparate-impact liability from Title VI regulations; OPM finalizes rule allowing suitability-based removal of federal employees for post-appointment conduct.
June 30
SCOTUS ends removal protections for agencies; staff at NYC cocktail bar vote to unionize.
June 29
In today’s News and Commentary, student-athletes file a class action suit challenging the NCAA’s new Age-Based Rule, a federal judge declines to issue a preliminary injunction against FEMA’s reduction in force but expedites proceedings, and Gavin Newsom opposes California’s proposed billionaire tax in favor of a federal approach. On Thursday, DeJuan Campbell, at basketball player […]
June 28
Philadelphia utility workers announce July 4 strike; national parks workers vote to unionize; Michigan considers “right to disconnect” bill.