Both the New York Times and Wall Street Journal are reporting on yesterday’s non-partisan CBO report on the expected impact of the Obama administration’s proposal to raise the minimum wage to $10.10/hour. As the Times notes, the report yielded mixed results: “Republicans contended the policy would be a job-killer, while Democrats asserted it would help alleviate poverty. Economists said both might be right.”
In remarks yesterday, U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman tried to reconcile the Obama administration’s push for new free trade agreements with the President’s progressive labor, environmental and jobs-oriented goals. As the Washington Post notes, Mr. Froman argued that it’s possible to draft trade agreements that raise environmental and labor standards, help build a stronger American middle-class, and help American companies compete.
A short piece in the Wall Street Journal explores the relationship between New York organized-crime and labor unions in a larger historical context. The article examines the everyday effects of this relationship, and notes that “while the Mafia’s hold on unions today has weakened, the Mafia’s influence isn’t totally lost.”
Holman Jenkins at the Wall Street Journal is chiming in on the UAW’s recent defeat at Volkswagen’s Chattanooga factory. He notes that “the UAW would undermine its own existence if its goal were really (as claimed) to help VW become more competitive against the Big Three, whose 130,000 members constitute the union’s dues-paying majority.”
George Will at the Washington Post is also weighing in on what he describes as the UAW’s “shattering defeat” at Chattanooga. He concludes that the vote will allow Southern States to “continue to practice entrepreneurial federalism,” allowing those States to create regulatory environments that are conducive to job creation, instead of following the path of Detroit.
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.