Henry Green is a student at Harvard Law School.
In today’s news and commentary, federal employees challenge Trump executive orders, Trump announces changes at the NLRB but does not fire the general counsel, and Lori Chavez-DeRemer meets with the restaurant industry.
Anjali’s post yesterday covered a flurry of day one executive actions by President Trump aimed at the federal workforce, including hiring freeze, return-to-office, and “Schedule F” orders. Lawsuits have quickly been filed to challenge some of those actions. The National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) filed a lawsuit on Monday targeting the Schedule F order, which would make it easier for the Trump administration to fire career employees. In a statement, NTEU’s president criticized the order as “about administering political loyalty tests to everyday employees.” President Trump previously issued a Schedule F order in 2020, which NTEU also sued to challenge; President Biden rescinded the order before a judge could rule on that case. Three additional lawsuits filed yesterday challenge the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency.
At the Department of Labor, Trump’s first day actions included making Vince Micone acting secretary of labor while Lori Chavez-DeRemer awaits Senate confirmation. Trump also elevated Marvin Kaplan, the sole Republican on the National Labor Relations Board, to chair. Democratic nominees still hold a majority on the board, but Kaplan will lead a Republican majority once Trump nominees win Senate confirmation. However, Trump has not yet removed Jennifer Abruzzo as the NLRB’s general counsel.
Secretary of Labor nominee Lori Chavez-DeRemer met with representatives of the restaurant industry last week. The International Franchise Association led the meeting, with representatives for McDonald’s, Yum! Brands (the parent company of KFC, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut, among others), and Wendy’s in attendance, along with “salon brands and at least one hotel chain,” according to Bloomberg. The parties discussed joint employer status for franchised restaurants, a “top concern” for the industry. They also discussed the PRO Act, which Chavez-DeRemer supported as a member of Congress, and which the International Franchise Association has urged her to denounce.
Daily News & Commentary
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June 30
Antidiscrimination scholars question McDonnell Douglas, George Washington University Hospital bargained in bad faith, and NY regulators defend LPA dispensary law.
June 29
In today’s news and commentary, Trump v. CASA restricts nationwide injunctions, a preliminary injunction continues to stop DOL from shutting down Job Corps, and the minimum wage is set to rise in multiple cities and states. On Friday, the Supreme Court held in Trump v. CASA that universal injunctions “likely exceed the equitable authority that […]
June 27
Labor's role in Zohran Mamdani's victory; DHS funding amendment aims to expand guest worker programs; COSELL submission deadline rapidly approaching
June 26
A district judge issues a preliminary injunction blocking agencies from implementing Trump’s executive order eliminating collective bargaining for federal workers; workers organize for the reinstatement of two doctors who were put on administrative leave after union activity; and Lamont vetoes unemployment benefits for striking workers.
June 25
Some circuits show less deference to NLRB; 3d Cir. affirms return to broader concerted activity definition; changes to federal workforce excluded from One Big Beautiful Bill.
June 24
In today’s news and commentary, the DOL proposes new wage and hour rules, Ford warns of EV battery manufacturing trouble, and California reaches an agreement to delay an in-person work mandate for state employees. The Trump Administration’s Department of Labor has advanced a series of proposals to update federal wage and hour rules. First, the […]