Linh is a student at Harvard Law School.
On Wednesday, the National Labor Relations Board unanimously struck down a settlement between Starbucks and Starbucks Workers United, a union representing its workers in Biddeford, Maine. The settlement stems from original allegations that Starbucks managers were enforcing workplace policies more strictly for union supporters, resulting in disciplinary action against organizers. Concluding that the ALJ had erred in granting the settlement, the Board ruled that the judge had not given proper consideration to the union’s concerns and did not adequately address the alleged unlawful activity.
Several app-based companies, including Lyft, Uber and Doordash, are proposing to lawmakers a federal system that would give independent contractors access to workplace benefits currently unavailable to this class of workers. The proposal was released by Flex, the industry group representing leading app-based rideshare and delivery platforms, on Wednesday. The proposal marks the first time these companies have agreed on a national approach to provide their independent contractors with benefits that have traditionally been denied to workers not classified as employees, such as health benefits, retirement savings, and paid leave.
Texas just passed an unprecedented new law that will prohibit local governments from making local rules that are stronger than the state’s in broad policy areas, including labor, finance, and occupations. The impact of this preemption law will be broad, as private entities will be emboldened to challenge a variety of city laws they don’t like, such as local tenant and worker protection laws. The law, which will take effect on September 1, is the latest effort in a years-long Republican effort to limit the power of Texas’s more progressive metropolitan areas like Dallas, Austin, and Houston.
Daily News & Commentary
Start your day with our roundup of the latest labor developments. See all
September 24
UAW expands strike, files ULP against a Republican senator and hosts Biden on the picket line. NLRB ALJ issues first Cemex bargaining order.
September 22
Biden and Lula announce Partnership for Workers’ Rights; GAO clears Su to serve as acting Secretary of Labor indefinitely.
September 21
DHS policies for Venezuelan migrants; reduced arbitration fees under No Surprises Act; increasing religious objections to workplace DEI policies.
September 19
Canadian autoworkers continue negotiations with Ford’s operations in Canada, Trump announces a rally in Detroit next week with union workers, and talk shows backtrack on plans to return to air without writers.
September 18
UAW enters its fourth day of striking with plans to meet Stellantis at the negotiating table; 13 of the 14 bargaining units representing Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) will negotiate new contracts in the next six months; a Brazilian labor court ordered Uber to pay ~$205 million in fines for irregular working relations with app drivers; unions across many sectors press lawmakers to curb potential threats from artificial intelligence
September 17
Updates from UAW’s strike, Dartmouth College athletes file petition to unionize, visual effects artists at Marvel Studios unanimously vote to unionize, and California’s legislature passes a variety of pro-worker bills.