Anita Alem is a student at Harvard Law School.
In today’s News and Commentary, the NLRB finds Starbucks made illegal threats to workers during a union election, an Illinois bill that is likely soon to become law would require that workers accrue paid time off, and the UK cost of living strike continues.
On Tuesday, an administrative law judge at the NLRB found that Starbucks violated labor law during a union election at its flagship Seattle Roastery. Starbucks illegally told workers that unionization would be futile and threatened to reduce benefits upon unionization during a union campaign at its flagship Seattle Roastery. More than 275 Starbucks locations, nationwide, have joined the wave of unionizations; the Roastery is particularly significant as a large location with 100 workers.
Governor J.B. Pritzker of Illinois is set to sign a bill that would require employers to ensure employees accrue up to 40 hours of paid time off as part of their benefits package. The bill would still permit employers to require seven-days’ notice for foreseeable needs, but provides protection from employer retaliation. While fourteen other states and the District of Columbia mandate some amount of paid sick leave time, the Illinois bill is broader, permitting time off for any reason. Several other states are also currently considering or likely to consider bills to expand leave, including Minnesota, Michigan, Connecticut, and California.
Massive strikes continue in the UK as workers protest against the cost of living crisis, which has raised grocery prices at a record rate of nearly 17% inflation, and nearly 11% inflation across the economy. More than 500,000 workers are on strike, including 300,000 teachers, as well as civil servants, university workers, and train and bus drivers. The Parliament is seeking to stymie strikes by mandating “minimum service levels” in some sectors that would permit workers to be fired for going on strike.
Daily News & Commentary
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May 18
In today’s news and commentary, the DC Circuit lifts a preliminary injunction on Trump’s collective bargaining ban for federal workers; HHS, DOL and Treasury pause a 2024 mental health parity regulation; and NJ Transit workers continue into the third day of a historic strike. In a 2-1 decision issued on Friday, the D.C. Circuit overturned […]
May 16
Supreme Court hears a case about universal injunctions; Champion of workers' rights announces run for Colorado Attorney General; Sesame Street is officially union!
May 15
Unions in Colorado urge Governor Polis to sign Senate Bill 5; more than 1200 Starbucks workers go on strike; and IATSE calls on President Trump to reinstate Shira Perlmutter.
May 14
District court upholds NLRB's constitutionality, NY budget caps damage awards, NMB or NLRB jurisdiction for SpaceX?
May 13
In today’s News and Commentary, Trump appeals a court-ordered pause on mass layoffs, the Tenth Circuit sidesteps a ruling on the Board’s remedial powers, and an industry group targets Biden-era NLRB decisions. The Trump administration is asking the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to pause a temporary order blocking the administration from continuing […]
May 12
NJ Transit engineers threaten strike; a court halts Trump's firings; and the pope voices support for workers.