
Anjali Katta is a student at Harvard Law School.
In today’s news and commentary, Biden blocks the acquisition of U.S. Steel, the Third Circuit curbs NLRB remedial power, and DOL’s Wage and Hour Division’s year in review.
President Biden announced that he would block a $15 billion dollar take over of U.S. Steel by the Japanese company Nippon Steel, citing national security concerns over foreign control of a critical domestic industry. The United Steelworkers union has also strongly opposed the deal, arguing that it lacks sufficient guarantees for union jobs at U.S. Steel’s older mills. The company currently employs around 11,000 workers.
The Third Circuit has rejected the Board’s Thryv decision, denying the NLRB the authority to order employers to pay the foreseeable financial harms of their unfair labor practices. Specifically, the Third Circuit held that the Board can only order payment for damages directly resulting from unfair labor practices—such as backpay for wages lost as a result of an illegal discharge—but not for the indirect costs of unfair labor practices such as out-of-pocket medical expenses or credit card debt that would not have been incurred but for the ULP. The case involves Starbucks and two employees who were allegedly wrongfully terminated and sought compensation for both direct and indirect harms.
In 2024, the DOL’s Wage and Hour Division closed fewer cases against employers but imposed significantly higher civil money penalties than in previous years. While the agency resolved nearly 3,000 fewer cases compared to 2023, it collected almost $10 million more in penalties.
Daily News & Commentary
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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 […]
June 23
Supreme Court interprets ADA; Department of Labor effectively kills Biden-era regulation; NYC announces new wages for rideshare drivers.
June 22
California lawmakers challenge Garmon preemption in the absence of an NLRB quorum and Utah organizers successfully secure a ballot referendum to overturn HB 267.
June 20
Three state bills challenge Garmon preemption; Wisconsin passes a bill establishing portable benefits for gig workers; and a sharp increase in workplace ICE raids contribute to a nationwide labor shortage.
June 19
Report finds retaliatory action by UAW President; Senators question Trump's EEOC pick; California considers new bill to address federal labor law failures.