In immigration news, the crisis of unaccompanied minors at the border continues. According to the Wall Street Journal, President Obama met with the presidents of Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador to discuss a solution that addresses longer-term regional problems that drive the children to come to America. Salvadoran Foreign Minister Hugo Martinez said, “[t]he sheer size of transnational organized crime is not something that can be tackled by one nation.” Meanwhile, the New York Times reports that religious groups in the United States have mobilized in support of providing aid to the immigrant children. According to the Times, the child immigration issue may be pushing otherwise conservative religious groups to support broader immigration reform.
In Massachusetts, the Boston Globe reports that unions are a stronger force in Massachusetts’s politics than at any time in the past 25 years. Unions have played a key role in raising the minimum wage, passing “new workplace protections for state employees, a bill of rights for housekeepers and other domestic workers,” and supporting more victories for workers.
In sports news, the New York Times reports that student-athletes have won several long-sought concessions from the N.C.A.A. and universities. Schools and the N.C.A.A. have stated that these changes have been in the works for some time, but outside observers see this is a reaction to some players’ attempts to unionize, as well as an anti-trust lawsuit against the N.C.A.A. Some universities are now guaranteeing multi-year rather than one-year scholarships, improving medical coverage and providing greater financial support. The N.C.A.A. is also no longer asking players to sign a waiver giving the organization the right to use their likeness without compensation. We’ve covered the student-athlete attempts to unionize previously, including here, here, and here.
National Geographic has a feature on the “The New Face of Hunger” in America. The magazine explores why “[o]ne-sixth of Americans don’t have enough food to eat” through profiles of families in Iowa, Texas, and New York.
In international news, Iberia airlines reached an agreement with its union to cut its staff by 1,427, according to the Wall Street Journal. The reduction in staff will last through at least 2015.
Daily News & Commentary
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September 13
Documents released on the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks show that city officials encouraged workers to return to Ground Zero despite knowing the risks of asbestos exposure, and new polls demonstrate continued widespread support for labor unions.
September 10
Amazon workers allege pregnancy discrimination; federal unions challenge USDA reorganization; NYC warns of silicosis risks.
September 9
Wynn Las Vegas employees allege anti-union retaliation; Amazon faces a class action over pregnancy accommodations; H-1B demand plunges following a six-figure visa fee.
September 8
In today’s News and Commentary, workers and unions across America celebrate Labor Day, California’s SEIU Local 1000 prepares for a strike authorization vote, and New York City creates the Office of Worker Power. On Monday, labor unions and workers gathered in cities across the United States in celebration of Labor Day. Parades and rallies took […]
September 7
Eighth Circuit finds DOL order violates Seventh Amendment; 1,300 workers at Encore Boston Harbor go on strike.
September 6
Encore casino workers strike; President Trump commutes sentence of former Philadelphia IBEW leader; Durham labor activist ends his hunger strike against Amazon.