The Washington Post reports that Wal-Mart has reached a settlement with the Department of Labor to provide safer conditions for custodial employees at more than 2,800 stores. Under the settlement, Wal-Mart will provide more training to workers who use trash compacters and cleaning chemicals in stores in the twenty-eight states that follow federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards.
In a different kind of occupational health and safety news, the Major League Baseball Players Association announced an appeal of Alex Rodriguez’s 211-game suspension. Rodriguez had been suspended for using steroids; the player’s union argues that Rodriguez’s suspension is disproportionate.
Meanwhile, on the other end of the pay-scale, the New York Times editorial board announced its support for fast-food workers’ attempt to unionize. Fast-food workers organized day-long walkouts over the past week to protest wages that are too low to earn a living. The Times reported on the workers’ reasonable request for a higher wage – $15 an hour – and enforcement of their right organize without fear of retaliation. The Washington Post discussed what it’s like living on McDonald’s wages with a two McDonald’s employees.
In political news, the Laborer’s International Union of North American Mid-Atlantic Region plans to endorse Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown (D) for the 2014 Maryland gubernatorial race. This will be the first labor union endorsement in this race.
The New York Times published a long analysis of affluent women who chose to leave the paid workforce over the past decade to raise children, and are now seeking to return to paid employment. This follow up to the (in)famous 2003 article on the “opt-out revolution,” and the many similar pieces that followed, provides insight into the difficulties of re-entering the paid workforce, the advantages that the elite have in exiting and re-entering the paid workforce, the ways that employers still do not accommodate men and women who have child-care obligations outside of work, and how engaging in paid work can change one’s view of oneself.
Daily News & Commentary
Start your day with our roundup of the latest labor developments. See all
July 2
Block, Nanda, and Nayak argue that the NLRA is under attack, harming democracy; the EEOC files a motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought by former EEOC Commissioner Jocelyn Samuels; and SEIU Local 1000 strikes an agreement with the State of California to delay the state's return-to-office executive order for state workers.
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.