Esther Ritchin is a student at Harvard Law School.
In today’s News & Commentary, Uber drivers protest the deactivation policy, Amazon workers continue the fight for fair treatment, and Florida companies face criticism for putting workers in harm’s way while facing Hurricane Milton.
Drivers with the Activate Respect campaign have long protested Uber’s “deactivation” policy, where the app terminates a driver’s ability to work for Uber without explanation or an appeal process. After Uber executives refused to meet with the campaign, drivers marched to Uber headquarters to deliver an open letter. According to posts on X, Uber executives refused to receive the letter. Drivers shared their stories with one another, with many describing being deactivated with no explanation or recourse after driving for Uber for many years, having their income suddenly cut off.
On Prime Day, Amazon’s two day sale event for Prime members, Amazon workers spoke out about their poor treatment at the hands of the company and ways Amazon can improve conditions for workers. In a series of videos posted on X, Amazon workers discussed their need for fair workloads, safe working conditions, and higher wages. Amazon workers at a warehouse in Queens, New York are also demanding that two of their coworkers are reinstated after alleging that they were fired unfairly.
Companies in Florida have faced criticism for not closing early enough in advance of Hurricane Milton, with many concerned employees will be put in harm’s way. Walt Disney announced on October 8 that it would be monitoring the storm, and other reporting indicated that Disney’s Florida parks were still open the morning and early afternoon of October 9. Waffle House faced similar criticism after a post on X indicating many of their Florida stores had closed as of 2 PM on October 9. Waffle House is known for staying open during extreme weather, giving rise to what the Federal Emergency Management Agency has called the “Waffle House index” as a way to measure how severe weather is. This phenomenon has been criticized as unfairly putting workers at risk.
Daily News & Commentary
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July 1
In today’s news and commentary, the Department of Labor proposes to roll back minimum wage and overtime protections for home care workers, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit by public defenders over a union’s Gaza statements, and Philadelphia’s largest municipal union is on strike for first time in nearly 40 years. On Monday, the U.S. […]
June 30
Antidiscrimination scholars question McDonnell Douglas, George Washington University Hospital bargained in bad faith, and NY regulators defend LPA dispensary law.
June 29
In today’s news and commentary, Trump v. CASA restricts nationwide injunctions, a preliminary injunction continues to stop DOL from shutting down Job Corps, and the minimum wage is set to rise in multiple cities and states. On Friday, the Supreme Court held in Trump v. CASA that universal injunctions “likely exceed the equitable authority that […]
June 27
Labor's role in Zohran Mamdani's victory; DHS funding amendment aims to expand guest worker programs; COSELL submission deadline rapidly approaching
June 26
A district judge issues a preliminary injunction blocking agencies from implementing Trump’s executive order eliminating collective bargaining for federal workers; workers organize for the reinstatement of two doctors who were put on administrative leave after union activity; and Lamont vetoes unemployment benefits for striking workers.
June 25
Some circuits show less deference to NLRB; 3d Cir. affirms return to broader concerted activity definition; changes to federal workforce excluded from One Big Beautiful Bill.