Anjali Katta is a student at Harvard Law School.
In today’s News and Commentary, Whole Foods workers in Philly file for first-ever union election under Amazon’s ownership, Waffle House sues the NLRB, and Amazon workers across the world threaten to strike and protest on Black Friday.
Whole Foods workers in Center City, Philadelphia, have announced their intention to unionize with United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1776 and have filed a petition with the NLRB. If successful, this effort would result in the first ever Whole Foods union under Amazon’s ownership. The union would represent 300 workers. These workers would join the 800,000 grocery store members already represented by UFCW including workers from Kroger, Albertsons, Safeway, and Stop & Shop. Since Amazon acquired Whole Foods in 2017, workers have faced harsher working conditions, decreased benefits, and increased surveillance.
Waffle House, a fast-food chain, is suing the NLRB over an unfair labor practice charge filed by the Service Employees’ International Union (SEIU). Waffle House argues that the NLRB’s administrative procedures are unconstitutional and deprives the company of due process. Waffle House also claims that that the NLRB’s Administrative Law Judges and Board members are too insulated from Presidential removal. By suing the NLRB, Waffle House joins a growing list of employers—including SpaceX, Amazon, and the ACLU— who have also challenged the NLRB’s structure as unconstitutional.
Amazon workers in 20 countries across the globe are planning to protest and strike between Black Friday (November 29) and Cyber Monday (December 2) as part of the Make Amazon Pay Campaign. The campaign, which includes over 80 labor unions, anti-poverty organizations, and labor rights groups, is calling for fair wages, the right to join a union without interference, for Amazon to pay its fair share of taxes, and for commitments to environmental sustainability. November 29, 2024 will mark the fifth consecutive Black Friday that the Make Amazon Pay campaign has organized a global action. The largest strike is expected in Germany, where up to 3,000 workers across six Amazon facilities are planning to join the protests.
Daily News & Commentary
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October 28
Two federal unions oppose CBA cancellations, another federal union urges Democrats to end the government shut down, and Paramount plans for mass layoffs
October 27
GM and Rivian announce layoffs; Boeing workers reject contract offer.
October 26
California labor unions back Proposition 50; Harvard University officials challenge a union rally; and workers at Boeing prepare to vote on the company’s fifth contract proposal.
October 24
Amazon Labor Union intervenes in NYS PERB lawsuit; a union engages in shareholder activism; and Meta lays off hundreds of risk auditing workers.
October 23
Ninth Circuit reaffirms Thryv remedies; unions oppose Elon Musk pay package; more federal workers protected from shutdown-related layoffs.
October 22
Broadway actors and producers reach a tentative labor agreement; workers at four major concert venues in Washington D.C. launch efforts to unionize; and Walmart pauses offers to job candidates requiring H-1B visas.