Holt McKeithan is a student at Harvard Law School.
In today’s News and Commentary, the NLRB withdraws its objections to SpaceX’s constitutional challenge, Whole Foods asks the NLRB to set aside a union election in Philadelphia, and the AFL-CIO launches a campaign to push back against Musk.
The NLRB filed a letter with the Fifth Circuit indicating it would not address SpaceX’s challenge to the agency’s constitutionality. John has been tracking the progress of various constitutional challenges to the Board, none of which has yet been endorsed by a court. SpaceX’s primary argument is that the Board’s structure is unconstitutional because it limits the removal of ALJs and Board members. As of yet, no interested parties have stepped in to address SpaceX’s constitutional arguments in the NLRB’s stead.
Less than two weeks ago, workers at a Philadelphia Whole Foods grocery store voted to unionize. They were the first group of workers at the Amazon-owned chain to form a union. Now, the grocer is asking the NLRB to set aside that election. While Whole Foods alleged the union unlawfully interfered with the election, UFCW Local 1776 says that the claims are baseless and a stall tactic to delay bargaining
The AFL-CIO is launching the Department of People Who Work for a Living to push back against Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency. The group plans to take action through rallies and advertisements in front of key agencies who’s budgets are being slashed. “The government can work for billionaires or it can work for working people—but not both,” said AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler. “
Daily News & Commentary
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December 8
Private payrolls fall; NYC Council overrides mayoral veto on pay data; workers sue Starbucks.
December 7
Philadelphia transit workers indicate that a strike is imminent; a federal judge temporarily blocks State Department layoffs; and Virginia lawmakers consider legislation to repeal the state’s “right to work” law.
December 5
Netflix set to acquire Warner Bros., Gen Z men are the most pro-union generation in history, and lawmakers introduce the “No Robot Bosses Act.”
December 4
Unionized journalists win arbitration concerning AI, Starbucks challenges two NLRB rulings in the Fifth Circuit, and Philadelphia transit workers resume contract negotiations.
December 3
The Trump administration seeks to appeal a federal judge’s order that protects the CBAs of employees within the federal workforce; the U.S. Department of Labor launches an initiative to investigate violations of the H-1B visa program; and a union files a petition to form a bargaining unit for employees at the Met.
December 2
Fourth Circuit rejects broad reading of NLRA’s managerial exception; OPM cancels reduced tuition program for federal employees; Starbucks will pay $39 million for violating New York City’s Fair Workweek law; Mamdani and Sanders join striking baristas outside a Brooklyn Starbucks.