Last week on the blog, we wrote about why the NLRB should withdraw the Hy-Brand decision (here and here)—in short, because a Board member who voted for the result, William Emanuel, should have recused himself (his former law firm represented one of the companies in the Browning-Ferris case). Hy-Brand overruled Browning-Ferris, thus reinstating a joint-employer standard under which it is more difficult to establish a joint-employer relationship. On Monday, the NLRB vacated Hy-Brand, following a determination by an internal ethics official that Emanuel’s participation was a conflict-of-interest, and that he should not have participated in the proceeding.
In an op-ed for the Atlantic, Derek Thompson argues that more immigration is the key to the economic growth President Trump seeks. The Trump administration’s latest budget projects 3% annual GDP growth through 2025. Thompson emphasizes that this level of GDP growth is “exquisitely rare” in developed countries (the average in the U.S. since the Great Recession has been 2%). More workers, according to Thompson, are the key to driving up productivity in an advanced economy. Because U.S. birthrates are in a “lull” (which Thompson recognizes might be consequent of things like gender equality), immigration is the remaining viable route to higher growth.
In the wake of the school shooting in Florida earlier this month, President Trump has advocated for arming teachers. What do teachers think of this? Some teachers’ associations and unions have since spoken out against the suggestion. The President of the National Education Association said that arming school staff was a proposition overwhelmingly rejected by parents and educators. The President of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) said, “[t]eachers don’t want to be armed, we want to teach,” and questioned the practicality of a program that armed teachers.
Finally, the Supreme Court heard oral argument in Janus yesterday. The Washington Examiner, NPR, and SCOTUSblog, each covered the oral argument. Notably, Justice Gorsuch remained silent. As this coverage pointed out, because he is believed by many to be the determinative vote, oral argument provided little additional information about the likely outcome of the case.
Daily News & Commentary
Start your day with our roundup of the latest labor developments. See all
July 5
A Los Angeles city councilor introduces a proposal to expand fair scheduling practices to fast food workers; contract negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and video game companies struggle on AI; Greece allows for a six-day work week.
July 4
Texas judge halts FTC ban on noncompetes; Biden Administration releases proposed rule protecting workers from excessive heat; California grocery workers ratify new labor contract after authorizing strike.
July 2
University of California strikes end while legal dispute continues; Disneyland workers raise awareness with park visitors; bus workers in Alabama set example for labor policy
July 1
Labor law impacts of Loper Bright and Jarkesy rulings; Unions push for workforce board represntation.
June 30
Explaining the turnaround in Starbucks-union negotiations; overtime rule implementation against Texas enjoined; California reforms PAGA
June 28
Gig driver classification deal reached in Massachusetts; Amazon drivers in Illinois strike over ULP; CEO pay accelerates.