Jacqueline Rayfield is a student at Harvard Law School.
In today’s News and Commentary, a federal judge in Texas limits Covid-Era remote Congressional voting, Starbucks agreed to start talks about a collective-bargaining agreement, and a majority of Mercedes manufacturing plant workers in Tuscaloosa, Alabama sign UAW cards.
Judge James Hendrix from the Northern District of Texas ruled that the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act could not be enforced against Texas. The act would require employers in Texas to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers, like they do for disabled workers. The EEOC had proposed rules for implementing this act which included abortion as a pregnancy-related condition requiring accommodation. Hendrix’s ruling rests on a challenge under the quorum clause, claiming that the law is invalid since it was passed through proxy voting, with 201 members physically present. He emphasizes that this ruling should not be applied broadly beyond this legislation.
Starbucks backtracked on its union-busting tactics in discussions last week. Both the company and the Starbucks Workers United issued statements yesterday promising a path forward for collective bargaining at Starbucks. About 400 Starbucks locations have so far voted to join the union since December 2021, but none of the locations have secured a contract, instead facing an impasse with Starbucks management.
The UAW has seen a growth in interest at auto plants in the South following its historic strike against Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis. While these. Plants have historically been difficult for the UAW to reach, a majority card signing at one Tuscaloosa Mercedes plant marks a positive first step.
Daily News & Commentary
Start your day with our roundup of the latest labor developments. See all
March 31
Trump signs executive order; Appeals court rules on NLRB firing; Farmworker activist detained by ICE.
March 28
In today’s news and commentary, Wyoming bans non-compete agreements, rideshare drivers demonstrate to recoup stolen wages, and Hollywood trade group names a new president. Starting July 1, employers will no longer be able to force Wyoming employees to sign non-compete agreements. A bill banning the practice passed the Wyoming legislature this past session, with legislators […]
March 27
Florida legislature proposes deregulation of child labor laws, Trump administration cuts international programs that target child labor and human trafficking, and California Federal judge reversed course and ruled that unions representing federal employees can sue the Trump administration over mass firings.
March 25
Illinois warehouse quota bill vetoed; Minnesota residents organize; circuit split on NLRB deference continues
March 23
Mahmoud Khalil and labor; CA Fast Food Council's slow start; debating worker-to-worker organizing
March 19
Colorado unions push to join Montana on just cause protection, Starbucks advocates for the Counterman standard