Today’s News and Commentary–January 22

Several commentators have offered their takes on yesterday’s oral argument in Harris v. Quinn: Jess Bravin and Melanie Trottman of the Journal, Adam Liptak of the New York Times, and Lyle Denniston of SCOTUSblog all chime in.  And at the Washington Post Harold Meyerson opines more broadly on the potential implications of a decision by the Court to reconsider Abood.

Reporting on the goings on at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the New York Times discusses the efforts of Welsh union leader Philip Jennings to carry the message of labor to the forum.  Jennings message focuses on the growing gap between the rich and poor, and the need to “rediscover collective bargaining” as a means to close that gap.  The Times notes that Jennings comes to Davos “with some rhetorical wind at his back,” citing recent comments made by the President as well as Pope Francis on economic inequality and social mobility.

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Target will stop offering health coverage for its part-time employees, citing new coverage options available on public health insurance exchanges.  “By offering them insurance,” Target said, “we could actually disqualify many of [our part-time employees] from being eligible for newly available subsidies that could reduce their overall health insurance expense.” 

A Norwegian airline is trying to expand its trans-Atlantic presence through an aggressive plan that calls for using crews and planes from low cost countries.  But, as the Journal notes, the world’s largest pilot union has called on the Department of Transportation to block the airline’s application for a foreign-carrier license; they argue the plan illegally circumvents Norwegian labor laws and will promote a “race to the bottom.” The head of the airline’s long-distance business disagrees, claiming those seeking to block the license are “just afraid of the competition.”