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
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.
August 6
Taylor Farms faces scrutiny over labor practices; Bipartisan labor bill gains momentum.
August 5
Clash over potential change to Canada’s labor code; Harvard’s Center for Labor and a Just Economy releases model sectoral bargaining laws; NJ sues Amazon for antitrust violations.
August 4
WestJet reaches a deal to end a flight attendant strike; the NLRB rules Whole Foods legally banned Black Lives Matter display; a commentary argues college athletes should have the right to collectively bargain.
August 3
Queens College faculty stage protest; UAW holds presidential debate; the Protect College Sports Act gets new life.