Linh is a student at Harvard Law School.
The U.S. Department of Labor introduced a final rule on Tuesday that will make it more difficult for companies like Uber and Lyft to classify workers as independent contractors under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Classification as employees, as opposed to contractors, wins meaningful benefits for workers, including minimum wage, overtime pay, protection for organizing activity, among others. This rule, scheduled to take effect on March 11, is closely monitored by major gig economy players and employers in construction, trucking, and healthcare sectors. The rule did and will likely continue to face legal challenges, including opposition from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and congressional review.
Google has lodged an appeal on the Fifth Circuit against the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), who ruled on January 3 that Google had unlawfully refused to negotiate with the union representing contract workers at YouTube. Those workers, directly employed by Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., were deemed jointly employed by Google in a decision by an NLRB regional director in March 2023, also upheld by the NLRB. The Cognizant workers subsequently voted 41-0 to unionize in April 2023. Since unionization, both Google and Cognizant have challenged the union’s legitimacy and refused to negotiate.
The Screen Actors Guild, representing 160,000 film and TV actors, has entered into an agreement that mandates permissions and guaranteed minimum payments whenever members’ voices are digitally reproduced in video games and other media. The union’s executive director announced the agreement with Replica Studios on Tuesday. This agreement, first of its kind, represents an important deal for the Guild, as the use of Artificial Intelligence was a pivotal issue during strikes by writers and actors last year.
Daily News & Commentary
Start your day with our roundup of the latest labor developments. See all
August 1
The Michigan Supreme Court grants heightened judicial scrutiny over employment contracts that shorten the limitations period for filing civil rights claims; the California Labor Commission gains new enforcement power over tip theft; and a new Florida law further empowers employers issuing noncompete agreements.
July 31
EEOC sued over trans rights enforcement; railroad union opposes railroad merger; suits against NLRB slow down.
July 30
In today’s news and commentary, the First Circuit will hear oral arguments on the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) revocation of parole grants for thousands of migrants; United Airlines’ flight attendants vote against a new labor contract; and the AFL-CIO files a complaint against a Trump Administrative Executive Order that strips the collective bargaining rights of the vast majority of federal workers.
July 29
The Trump administration released new guidelines for federal employers regarding religious expression in the workplace; the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers is suing former union president for repayment of mismanagement of union funds; Uber has criticized a new proposal requiring delivery workers to carry company-issued identification numbers.
July 28
Lower courts work out meaning of Muldrow; NLRB releases memos on recording and union salts.
July 27
In today’s news and commentary, Trump issues an EO on college sports, a second district court judge blocks the Department of Labor from winding down Job Corps, and Safeway workers in California reach a tentative agreement. On Thursday, President Trump announced an executive order titled “Saving College Sports,” which declared it common sense that “college […]