In art news, labor relations at the Metropolitan Opera continue to deteriorate, according to the New York Times. On Wednesday, the Met informed its workers that they would be locked out if a contract wasn’t reached by the end of the next week. Contracts with 15 of the 16 unions at the Met expire on July 31. Management has been pushing for reduced pay and benefits, while representatives of the union argue that management has not negotiated in good faith. We’ve covered the Met’s labor disputes before, including here and here.
Detroit moved forward with its bankruptcy plan this week, according to the Wall Street Journal. The Journal reports that retirees who hold city pensions approved a cut to their benefits, contingent on funders making available $816 million to strengthen the pension accounts. According to the Detroit News, some other classes of creditors rejected the bankruptcy plan, and will need to resolve their dispute in court. Our explainer on Detroit’s bankruptcy plan is available here.
In California, the California Nurses Association is preparing for difficult contract negotiations with Kaiser Health, the largest hospital system in the state, according to NPR. The four-year contract expires soon, and the union expects the hospital system to request cuts in wages in benefits.
Daily News & Commentary
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February 11
Hollywood begins negotiations for a new labor agreement with writers and actors; the EEOC launches an investigation into Nike’s DEI programs and potential discrimination against white workers; and Mayor Mamdani circulates a memo regarding the city’s Economic Development Corporation.
February 10
San Francisco teachers walk out; NLRB reverses course on SpaceX; NYC nurses secure tentative agreements.
February 9
FTC argues DEI is anticompetitive collusion, Supreme Court may decide scope of exception to forced arbitration, NJ pauses ABC test rule.
February 8
The Second Circuit rejects a constitutional challenge to the NLRB, pharmacy and lab technicians join a California healthcare strike, and the EEOC defends a single better-paid worker standard in Equal Pay Act suits.
February 6
The California Supreme Court rules on an arbitration agreement, Trump administration announces new rule on civil service protections, and states modify affirmative action requirements
February 5
Minnesota schools and teachers sue to limit ICE presence near schools; labor leaders call on Newsom to protect workers from AI; UAW and Volkswagen reach a tentative agreement.