Holt McKeithan is a student at Harvard Law School.
In today’s News & Commentary, the Senate cleared the way for the GOP to take control of the NLRB next year, and the NLRB classifies “Love is Blind” TV contestants as employees.
The Senate halted President Biden’s renomination of National Labor Relations Board Chair Lauren McFerran on Wednesday. McFerran’s nomination failed 49-50, with independents Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema joining Republicans to vote no. McFerran’s tenure as NLRB Chair is set to expire this month. The Democrats’ attempt to renominate her for another five-year term would have meant Democrat-control of the NLRB through 2026. Democrats could push for another attempt to hold a nomination vote, but Wednesday’s results indicate that it would not pass.
The NLRB has filed a complaint against reality TV show “Love is Blind,” arguing the contestants on the show should be characterized as employees and eligible for worker protections. Two contestants, Renee Poche and Nick Thompson, had previously filed an unfair labor practices claim against the show and pushed for classification as employees. The contract contestants must sign to participate in “Love is Blind” is restrictive, including a non-disclosure agreement and a $50,000 penalty for withdrawing from the show before filming wraps. This is the first time the NLRB has deemed reality TV contestants “employees,” and opens the door for unionization of the industry.
Daily News & Commentary
Start your day with our roundup of the latest labor developments. See all
June 13
Termination of grants promoting labor standards abroad at the District Court; Supreme Court agrees to hear case about forced labor; more states pass legislation to benefit striking workers
June 12
An administrative law judge holds that Yapp USA violated the NLRA; oral arguments for two labor cases before the Eighth Circuit.
June 11
DOJ charges David Huerta; unions clash with the administration on immigration; general counsel says Humphrey's Executor doesn't apply to the NLRB.
June 9
Budget proposes elimination of LSC; Colgate settles lawsuit with pensioners; and state and local officials braces for hurricane season following FEMA cuts.
June 8
Workers at Albertsons and Kroger in Washington State vote to authorize a strike; ICE agents arrest SEIU California President David Huerta during a protest; and a federal judge approves a $2.75 billion settlement allowing colleges to directly pay student-athletes.
June 6
Colorado clashes with ICE over information sharing, SCOTUS exempts a Catholic charity from paying unemployment compensation tax, and SCOTUS lowers bar for raising a Title VII reverse discrimination claim