Esther Ritchin is a student at Harvard Law School.
In today’s news and commentary, Vance crosses the picket line and the CFPB passes new guidance protecting workers from surveillance.
On Thursday, current Vice Presidential candidate J.D. Vance crossed the picket line of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Vance published an op-ed with the newspaper, officially crossing the picket line of the longest current strike in America. Vance has presented himself as a pro-worker candidate, a claim debunked in another OnLabor post. According to NewsGuild-CWA President Jon Schleuss, “JD Vance is a scab just like anybody else who crosses a picket line.” The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is appearing in federal court on Monday, facing an injunction.
On Thursday, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued guidance to protect workers from employer digital surveillance. The guidance clarifies that employers using “third-party consumer reports,” such as surveillance based scores of workers, must follow the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), meaning employees must consent to the use of these tools, employers must be transparent about the data used in disciplinary processes, and employees must be able to dispute inaccurate information. Currently, these tools are used to do things such as predict worker behavior, including possible union organizing, reassign workers, issue disciplinary actions, and look at social media activity.
Daily News & Commentary
Start your day with our roundup of the latest labor developments. See all
July 25
Philadelphia municipal workers ratify new contract; Chocolate companies escape liability in trafficking suit; Missouri Republicans kill paid sick leave
July 24
Texas District Court dismisses case requesting a declaratory judgement authorizing agencies to end collective bargaining agreements for Texas workers; jury awards two firefighters $1 million after they were terminated for union activity; and Democratic lawmakers are boycotting venues that have not rehired food service workers.
July 23
A "lost year" for new NLRB precedent; work stoppage among court appointed lawyers continues in Massachusetts
July 22
In today’s news and commentary, Senate Republicans push back against Project Labor Agreements and two rulings compelling arbitration for workers. Senate Republicans are pushing back against President Trump’s decision to maintain a Biden-era rule requiring project labor agreements (PLAs) for federal construction contracts over $35 million. Supporters of PLAs argue that PLAs facilitate better wages […]
July 21
WNBA players stage protest; Minneapolis DFL Party endorses Omar Fateh.
July 20
A US District Court orders the Trump Administration to provide its plans for firing federal workers; the Massachusetts Legislature considers multiple labor bills; and waste-collection workers at Republic Services strike throughout the nation.