Jacqueline Rayfield is a student at Harvard Law School.
In today’s News and Commentary, Donald Trump plans to meet with the Teamsters, UPS announces layoffs, and the United Auto Workers (UAW) continues its campaign to organize non-union autoworkers.
Trump will meet with Teamsters this afternoon in an effort to decrease Biden’s union backing. Teamsters workers and the former president will participate in a roundtable discussion of issues critical to workers in Midwestern swing states. President Biden’s support from union leadership, however, remains strong, with endorsements from the AFL-CIO and UAW President Shawn Fain.
UPS announced yesterday that it would cut 12,000 jobs, in part citing higher union labor costs. These cuts represent less than 3% of the company’s workforce and include only non-union workers. In July, the UPS signed a contract with the Teamsters to push pay for full-time drivers up to $49 per hour. Despite these pay increases, the company reported $24.92 billion in fourth quarter revenue in 2023.
The UAW announced on Monday that 10,000 non-union autoworkers have signed UAW cards since the union ratified its contract with Big Three automakers. The UAW estimates that it will need to reach around 150,000 people in its organizing campaign to bring in non-union workers. “These workers are standing up for themselves, for their families, and for their communities,” said UAW president Shawn Fain of these newly organized workers.
Daily News & Commentary
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August 14
Hollywood unions diverge in response to the Paramount-Warner merger saga; Tesla defeats a years-long strike in Sweden, and labor scholars advocate for state sectoral bargaining policy innovation.
August 13
EEOC complaint process expected to harm federal workers; former UAW leaders endorse Fain challenger; Xbox employees protest layoffs.
August 12
Third Circuit affirms dismissal of driver’s bias and retaliation claims against CBS and Teamsters; employment litigation surges in Washington state; MIT Sloan professor argues the rise of “disposable workers” is transforming American employment.
August 11
Rideshare drivers nearing union certification in California; UFCW campaigns against electronic shelf labels; Teamsters support NYC delivery driver bill.
August 10
Employee sues for a fossil-fuel-free 401(k) plan as a religious accommodation; DHS submits a proposed rule eliminating 60-day grace period for H-1B workers; Eighth Circuit dismisses constitutional challenge to the FMSHRC.
August 7
Starbucks beats claims it denied shifts to union workers; Center for State Labor Innovation aims to address labor law shortcomings.