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
September 29
Unions, AI companies, and private equity firms form a new coalition to shape data center policies; unions express support for the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger.
September 28
The Protect College Sports Act nears passage in the Senate; San Francisco municipal workers agree to contract extensions.
September 27
The Trump Administration reaches a settlement with federal unions on reduction in force actions; the United Auto Workers file an en banc petition seeking review of a Second Circuit decision regarding labor arbitrations.
September 25
Healthcare workers rally to restore legal status for TPS holders; nurses at a Maine hospital overwhelmingly vote to form their union despite alleged aggressive union busting tactics.
September 24
NLRB abandons rule for offensive conduct during protected activity; New York home care workers seek a union election; maritime deck officers endure long fight for first contracts.
September 23
DoorDash settles delivery-worker pay claims; Philadelphia school workers win new contract; stock gains spur retirements.