Holden Hopkins is a student at Harvard Law School.
In today’s News & Commentary, Iowa’s rollback of anti-bias protections for trans individuals tees up a likely court challenge and Homeland Security Secretary moves to gut collective bargaining rights for Transportation Security Administration agents.
On February 28, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed into law a bill removing gender identity as a protected category under state anti-bias laws. This action comes amid broader federal attacks against trans individuals and their rights in the workplace and beyond. The law also contradicts the 2020 Supreme Court ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County, which recognized gender identity discrimination under federal law.
Legal experts predict lawsuits citing violations of the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause and conflicts with federal anti-bias laws. Advocates argue that states cannot provide fewer protections than federal law requires. This decision follows Iowa’s previous restrictions on transgender rights, including limits on bathroom access and participation in school sports. Similar legal tensions are emerging in other states like Utah, indicating broader implications for transgender rights across the U.S.
The upcoming court battles will determine whether states can strip away protections once granted and whether federal law ultimately overrides state-level rollbacks.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has taken sweeping action to prevent the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) from unionizing again, following her decision to revoke collective bargaining rights for transportation security officers. In a Feb. 27 memo, Noem directed TSA leadership to explore ways to ensure that future administrations cannot restore union rights without congressional intervention.
The move is part of a broader effort under the Trump administration to reduce the federal workforce and weaken the influence of unions. Noem claims that union representation has hindered TSA’s operational flexibility and mission effectiveness. The directive also halts payroll deductions for union dues and blocks grievance reviews tied to past collective bargaining agreements. AFGE, which has represented TSA workers since 2011, has vowed to challenge the decision, setting the stage for a legal and political battle over workers’ rights within the federal agency.
Daily News & Commentary
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June 17
NLRB finds a reporter's online criticism of the Washington Post was not protected activity under federal labor law; top union leaders leave the Democratic National Committee amid internal strife; Uber reaches a labor peace agreement with Chicago drivers.
June 16
California considers bill requiring human operators inside autonomous delivery vehicles; Eighth Circuit considers challenge to Minnesota misclassification law and whether "having a family to support" is a gendered comment.
June 15
ICE holds back on some work site raids as unions mobilize; a Maryland judge approves a $400M settlement for poultry processing workers in an antitrust case; and an OMB directive pushes federal agencies to use union PLAs.
June 13
Termination of grants promoting labor standards abroad at the District Court; Supreme Court agrees to hear case about forced labor; more states pass legislation to benefit striking workers
June 12
An administrative law judge holds that Yapp USA violated the NLRA; oral arguments for two labor cases before the Eighth Circuit.
June 11
DOJ charges David Huerta; unions clash with the administration on immigration; general counsel says Humphrey's Executor doesn't apply to the NLRB.