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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December 12
OH vetoes bill weakening child labor protections; UT repeals public-sector bargaining ban; SCOTUS takes up case on post-arbitration award jurisdiction
December 11
House forces a vote on the “Protect America’s Workforce Act;” arguments on Trump’s executive order nullifying collective bargaining rights; and Penn State file a petition to form a union.
December 8
Private payrolls fall; NYC Council overrides mayoral veto on pay data; workers sue Starbucks.
December 7
Philadelphia transit workers indicate that a strike is imminent; a federal judge temporarily blocks State Department layoffs; and Virginia lawmakers consider legislation to repeal the state’s “right to work” law.
December 5
Netflix set to acquire Warner Bros., Gen Z men are the most pro-union generation in history, and lawmakers introduce the “No Robot Bosses Act.”
December 4
Unionized journalists win arbitration concerning AI, Starbucks challenges two NLRB rulings in the Fifth Circuit, and Philadelphia transit workers resume contract negotiations.