Jacqueline Rayfield is a student at Harvard Law School.
In today’s News and Commentary, striking Hollywood actors and writers filed a grievance with the NLRB claiming NBCUniversal infringed on workers freedom to picket by blocking a picket area, UNITE HERE Local 11 hotel workers accuse hotels of failing to hire Black workers as full-time employees and using the strike-breaking app, Instawork, which penalizes workers who strike, and UPS pilots say they will not cross the picket like if the Teamsters go on strike.
Both the Writers’ Guild of America (WGA) and SAG-AFTRA actors’ union filed complaints with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) accusing Comcast-owned NBCUniversal of blocking a public sidewalk used for picketing with construction. The obstruction forced striking workers to picket in busy streets where “two picketers have already been struck by a car,” according to the WGA’s complaint. The guilds say that this construction interferes with members’ right to engage in protected strike activity.
UNITE HERE Local 11 hotel workers attended their first bargaining session on Tuesday since strikes began in early July. The Union accused hotels of failing to hire Black workers in full-time roles, particularly in hotels near neighborhoods with significant Black populations, but bringing in Black workers for part time work during the strike through temporary work apps. The Union also filed a complaint with the NLRB against Instawork, a strike-breaking temporary work app, claiming the app automatically penalizes workers who participate in a legally protected strike. Replacement workers on Instawork who refuse to attend shifts for struck work have faced decreased ratings in the app and have had their future shifts canceled. Hotel representatives left Tuesday’s bargaining session after the union proposed hiring all replacement workers, including a higher percentage of Black workers, as full-time workers at bargaining hotels.
Over 3,300 UPS pilots represented by the Independent Pilots Association (IPA) say they will not cross the picket line if the Teamsters go on strike when their contract expires on August 1. This move could ground most UPS airplanes for the duration of the strike.
Daily News & Commentary
Start your day with our roundup of the latest labor developments. See all
July 21
Fifth Circuit transfers an Anheuser-Busch NLRB case to the Eleventh Circuit; a new report makes the case for tripling union membership.
July 20
New York City weighs banning horse carriages despite union opposition; public defenders go on strike; cinema workers stage walkout.
July 17
Canadian wildfires endanger rail workers; 26 Meta employees allege targeted layoffs for those on paid leave; FIFPRO pushes for more rigorous heat protections for players.
July 16
Trump's NLRB nominee set for Senate vote, federal district court grants partial win on WARN Act claims, Brigham and Women's nurses return to work.
July 15
U.S. labor productivity climbs at its fastest pace in decades; a federal judge grants a preliminary injunction to anti-abortion groups challenging Michigan’s civil rights law; and Jackson, Mississippi’s bus workers walk off the job.
July 14
DOJ opens investigation of UAW president; LIUNA protests Pfizer building collapse; national park workers unionize