
John Fry is a student at Harvard Law School.
In today’s news and commentary, Utah considers weakening public-sector unions; Amazon is accused of union-busting in Kentucky; and Philadelphia unions are helping members buy homes.
State employees in Utah are speaking out against a proposed bill that would weaken the state’s public-sector unions. Following the lead of Florida, which passed a similar bill last spring, the new law would require public-sector union members to “opt in” to paying dues each year and would require the unions to be re-certified once every five years. As in Florida, the law exempts “public safety” unions, including police and firefighters—widely seen as politically popular groups—from these requirements. As Michelle covered yesterday, these special exemptions can be divisive and hard to define. The head of a Utah firefighters union testified against the bill, saying: “My members, we don’t stand behind our teachers, maintenance workers and everybody else. We stand beside them.” The bill’s proponents insist that it will promote freedom of choice and union democracy.
Amazon is once again accused of union-busting at a Kentucky air hub amid a campaign by the Amazon Labor Union. When Amazon scheduled invite-only captive audience meetings with select groups of workers, organizer Griffin Ritze attempted to join the meetings and rebut the company’s anti-union arguments. As the law stands today, employers have the right to hold these meetings without granting union supporters an opportunity to reply. NLRB General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo has made it a goal to change this doctrine. As Will covered last month, Amazon has previously attempted to stop union supporters from tabling outside the entrance to the air hub, leading union supporters to file unfair labor practice charges with the NLRB.
Unions in Philadelphia are providing support to help members buy homes, a response to the nationwide housing crisis that has captured increased attention in the labor movement. Helping workers find housing, which constitutes most Americans’ largest expense, is a valuable recruitment tool for unions, reports the Philadelphia Inquirer. The services provided include matching union members with realtors and lenders, discounts on insurance and moving costs, and rebates. The municipal union AFSCME has also held seminars to help members improve their credit ratings. As Ian discussed last month, hospitality workers with UNITE HERE Local 11 in Southern California have made affordable housing a central tenet of their monthslong strike wave.
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April 4
Colorado Senate Bill 5 sparks heated debate over union security thresholds; SEIU launches national ad campaign protesting detention of union members; 60,000 UC workers strike over alleged unfair labor practices.
April 3
Chicago Teachers Union reaches tentative agreement; SEIU rallies for first amendment protection; Representatives introduce Protect America's Workforce Act.
April 2
Local academic unions face pushback in negotiations
April 1
In today’s news and commentary, Aramark workers at Philly stadiums reach tentative agreement, Crystal Carey is poised to take general counsel at NLRB, President Trump’s nominees for key DOL positions, and the National Treasury Employees Union sues the Trump administration. UNITE HERE Local 274, which represents thousands of food service workers in the Philadelphia region, […]
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 […]