Deanna Krokos is a student at Harvard Law School
Workers at Delta Airlines are suing Lands’ End over health concerns they attribute to negligently made uniforms. They filed a lawsuit on Tuesday, alleging that the uniforms were tested and showed “several heavy metals and chemicals present above safe levels, including mercury, formaldehyde, fluorine and chromium,” that caused migraines, rashes, and trouble breathing for some workers. The workers are asking Lands’ End to recall the uniforms and establish a fund to support ongoing medical expenses for the 1,900 workers who allege harm.
On Thursday, the New York Times published a profile on Freelancers Union founder Sara Horowitz, describing her work organizing contract workers and developing “Trupo” a company that bundles benefits for those workers. In the interview, she discussed the difficulty of organizing a highly transient workforce, but also the importance of building worker power for people largely setting out on their own in different parts of the “gig economy.
The Washington Post writes that a law passed in December to provide paid family leave to federal employees has significant drafting problems that exclude broad categories of the federal workforce. WaPo reports that certain sets of federal workers employed by the FAA, VA, TSA may be included, as well as U.S. Public Health Service offices. While the law does not become “effective” until October (leaving time for correction)WaPo predicts that certain agencies might “voluntarily” agree to provide the benefit, or raise it in union contract negotiations if the law is not corrected to create a mandate.
A new study in the Journal of Epidemiology and Health found that a $1 increase in minimum wage equates to a 3.4 to 5.9% decrease in suicide among those with a high school education. This echoes the findings of a National Bureau of Economic Research working paper, published last year, that suggested minimum wage increases and a strengthened Earned Income Tax Credit would improve Americans’ wellbeing and reduce the suicide rate. The Washington Post notes that this report joins a growing body of research that “examines the relationship between economic conditions and public health.”
Finally, OnLabor announced this week that the blog will host a recurring “Dissent in Exile” feature, to respond to forthcoming NLRB decisions and “offer short, dissenting views” and provide “a source for alternative perspectives.” NLRB Member Lauren McFerran’s departure left the NLRB with only 3-members, all from the Republican Party.
Daily News & Commentary
Start your day with our roundup of the latest labor developments. See all
September 21
In today’s News and Commentary, the Seventh Circuit raises the bar for the NLRB to obtain preliminary injunctions, the California Primary Care Association sues SEIU-UHW for racketeering, and the Seventh Circuit finds that an employer group and think tank do not have standing to challenge an Illinois law banning captive audience meetings. On Friday, the […]
September 20
Culinary Workers Union members protests union leadership; lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft reveal internal concerns about the threat of AI training to human labor.
September 17
Unions push to block Google from buying Spirit Airlines employment records; U.S. Department of Labor sues Oklahoma coffee chain over alleged wage violations.
September 16
Trump nominates Catherine Eschbach as EEOC general counsel; NLRB declines to resolve union work-assignment dispute; Allina Health physicians begin four-day strike.
September 15
Documents reveal the inner workings of Amazon's union avoidance program; Washington state public sector unions reach tentative deals amid a difficult bargaining cycle; hundreds of Nevada Culinary Union members protest their union's health care changes.
September 14
NCAA and Big Ten file motion to dismiss in former star player's NIL suit; Seventh Circuit rules against former postal worker in discrimination suit.