Jacqueline Rayfield is a student at Harvard Law School.
In today’s News and Commentary, Amazon workers in Missouri file an unfair labor practice charge based on company surveillance, labor unions push for a repeal of corporate tax cuts, and Mary Kay Henry steps down as president of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).
Amazon warehouse workers in Missouri charge the company with using an algorithm to surveil and “interfere with Section 7 rights of employees.” The workers allege that the company uses an intrusive algorithm to monitor their activity and deter any discussion of unionizing. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has not yet investigated these charges. However, in 2022, the NLRB general counsel issued a memo explaining that challenging automated surveillance techniques would be a priority for the board.
Labor unions, including the United Auto Worker, the AFL-CIO, and the SEIU, joined a letter to congressional leaders yesterday, urging an end to Trump-era tax cuts for corporations. The Trump administration’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) lowered corporate taxes and cut individual and estate taxes in ways that benefit the wealthy, according to these labor leaders. The Congressional Research Service in 2019 confirmed that tax cuts from this act largely benefited high income people. Labor leaders call for this Act’s repeal before November.
SEIU president Mary Kay Henry steps down after 14 years in leadership. Henry expressed her enthusiasm for the next generation of leadership to continue the fight for sectoral organizing. In Henry’s 14 years as president, she oversaw the historic Fight for $15 campaign, organizing fast food workers around minimum wage increases around the country.
Daily News & Commentary
Start your day with our roundup of the latest labor developments. See all
June 16
The political role of public sector unions; Apple sued for gender discrimination; unions ask the NLRB to not issue joint employer rule
June 14
The Supreme Court sides with Starbucks over the NLRB; fired SpaceX engineers sue Elon Musk for sexual harassment and retaliation; flight attendants picket in 30 cities.
June 12
Second Circuit tosses order restricting Amazon firings; Delivery drivers file arbitration claims against Amazon; OSHA heat standard under review at OIRA
June 11
Uber loses Ninth Circuit challenge to AB 5, UAW reaches agreement with an electric vehicle company, and Virginia teachers vote to unionize.
June 10
Former President Trump attempts to win over voters with a pledge to eliminate taxation of tips; the Major League Baseball Players Association accuses Bad Bunny’s sports agency of providing clients and prospective clients with improper inducements
June 9
Judge halts UC workers' strike; Samsung employees stage first-ever walkout.