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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July 1
Trump nominates Keith Sonderling as Labor Secretary; OPM finalizes rule allowing suitability-based removal of federal employees for post-appointment conduct.
June 30
SCOTUS ends removal protections for agencies; staff at NYC cocktail bar vote to unionize.
June 29
In today’s News and Commentary, student-athletes file a class action suit challenging the NCAA’s new Age-Based Rule, a federal judge declines to issue a preliminary injunction against FEMA’s reduction in force but expedites proceedings, and Gavin Newsom opposes California’s proposed billionaire tax in favor of a federal approach. On Thursday, DeJuan Campbell, at basketball player […]
June 28
Philadelphia utility workers announce July 4 strike; national parks workers vote to unionize; Michigan considers “right to disconnect” bill.
June 26
Mamdani issues workplace heat protections order; Fifth Circuit denies enforcement of NLRB order against Starbucks; AFGE unlikely to secure injunction against FEMA layoffs.
June 25
NLRB orders Amazon to bargain with workers; federal judge blocks ICE agents from making arrests in courthouses.