Jacqueline Rayfield is a student at Harvard Law School.
In today’s News and Commentary, University of Michigan health workers unionize, a Major League Soccer (MLS) referee lockout ends, and a Domino’s Pizza owner is sued for child labor violations.
Over 2,300 employees at University of Michigan have joined SEIU Healthcare Michigan. One new member explained that the differences in working conditions between the University’s unionized and non-unionized employees became more apparent during COVID-19. Now, about 80% of Michigan Medicine staff belong to a union. The new union includes a range of healthcare positions like patient care techs, patient service employees, and phlebotomists.
An employer lockout which kept Major League Soccer referees from working the first six matches of the season ended yesterday with a new collective bargaining agreement. But coaches, players, and broadcasters noted frustration at referees’ absence so far. Replacement referees during the first games of the season made questionable or incorrect decisions according to spectators, despite guidance circulated by MLS instructing commentators not to discuss the lockout while broadcasting.
Pennsylvania Department of Labor fined the owner of multiple Domino’s pizza shops for over 700 child labor violations. Violations included excessive working ours, employment outside of legal working hours for children during the school year, not getting parent authorization, and failing to provide breaks. Each violation can hold a fine of up to $5,000.
Daily News & Commentary
Start your day with our roundup of the latest labor developments. See all
May 30
Trump's tariffs temporarily reinstated after brief nationwide injunction; Louisiana Bill targets payroll deduction of union dues; Colorado Supreme Court to consider a self-defense exception to at-will employment
May 29
AFGE argues termination of collective bargaining agreement violates the union’s First Amendment rights; agricultural workers challenge card check laws; and the California Court of Appeal reaffirms San Francisco city workers’ right to strike.
May 28
A proposal to make the NLRB purely adjudicatory; a work stoppage among court-appointed lawyers in Massachusetts; portable benefits laws gain ground
May 27
a judge extends a pause on the Trump Administration’s mass-layoffs, the Fifth Circuit refuses to enforce an NLRB order, and the Texas Supreme court extends workplace discrimination suits to co-workers.
May 26
Federal court blocks mass firings at Department of Education; EPA deploys new AI tool; Chiquita fires thousands of workers.
May 25
United Airlines flight attendants reach tentative agreement; Whole Foods workers secure union certification; One Big Beautiful Bill Act cuts $1.1 trillion