Divya Nimmagadda is a student at Harvard Law School.
It was announced on Wednesday that the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) is joining the AFL-CIO, bringing the latter’s membership to nearly 15 million. The AFL-CIO is a federation of more than 50 unions; now that the SEIU is joining in under the umbrella organization, it has become the largest of the member unions. The SEIU is the nation’s second largest labor union, with around 2 million members, and has primarily organized workers in healthcare, property services, and public work. The SEIU was previously part of the AFL-CIO umbrella, but split from the group in 2005 over a rift in strategy – the SEIU and some other unions wanted to increase focus on organizing new members. While both groups have denied that the most recent election was the impetus for this alliance, they have acknowledged that the solidarity between the two groups will enable a stronger defense to any potential threats to labor or to workers from the Trump administration. Liz Schuler, president of AFL-CIO, stated that the unions are “amassing our forces, building our strength and our power before the inauguration…Working people will continue to demand that our voices be heard.”
Also on Wednesday, dockworkers on the East and Gulf Coasts reached a tentative labor agreement. Back in October, after a brief strike, the port workers and their employers agreed to a 62% raise over six years and aimed to come to agreement on other provisions of the labor agreement by January 15th. One of the most contentious of these topics was that of automation and the introduction of technology that could reduce human jobs. In a joint statement, the two parties stated that: “This agreement protects current I.L.A. jobs and establishes a framework for implementing technologies that will create more jobs while modernizing East and Gulf Coasts ports.” While the exact points of the agreement are not yet available, it has been reported that the workers got guarantees that introduction of technology would be accompanied by increased port jobs, and the employers had achieved language that would allow them to more easily introduce technology to the port settings.
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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 […]
March 27
Florida legislature proposes deregulation of child labor laws, Trump administration cuts international programs that target child labor and human trafficking, and California Federal judge reversed course and ruled that unions representing federal employees can sue the Trump administration over mass firings.
March 25
Illinois warehouse quota bill vetoed; Minnesota residents organize; circuit split on NLRB deference continues
March 23
Mahmoud Khalil and labor; CA Fast Food Council's slow start; debating worker-to-worker organizing