As we noted on Tuesday, a trial court in California held that teacher tenure violates the state constitution. Multiple news outlets have covered the story, including the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. Los Angeles Times columnist Michael Hiltzik argues this ruling won’t improve teacher quality. The Times also has an article explaining the years of appeals that are likely to follow.
The Washington Post reports that Brazil has averted a major subway workers strike in advance of the World Cup. On Monday, subway workers threatened a walkout and clashed with the police, according to the Post. But on Wednesday, subway workers in Sao Paulo agreed to remain on the job, however, some will march on Thursday morning to demand that forty-two workers fired for walking out be rehired. However, up to twenty percent of airport workers in Rio will participate in a twenty-four hour work stoppage in an ongoing dispute over wages. A prior court order requires that staffing levels at the airport remain above eighty percent.
In Illinois, Governor Pat Quinn signed a bill to address Illinois’ multibillion-dollar pension shortfall, according to the Washington Post. The law will affect 57,000 employees and retirees, and will increase contributions and cut benefits so as to eliminate the $9.4 billion shortfall in the pension fund. We Are One Chicago, a union coalition, has filed a lawsuit alleging that the pension overhaul is unconstitutional.
In other public-sector pension news, the New York Times reports that another retiree group in Detroit agreed to pension cuts. The city’s plan to resolve its bankruptcy crisis requires 4.5 percent cuts in pension benefits for municipal retirees. If pensioners don’t accept the proposed agreement by mid-July, they could face steeper reductions later via court order.
In related economic news, the New York Times has analyzed economic indicators, and writes that slow growth may be the new normal following the Great Recession. Although the severe economic downturn officially ended five years, peak economic growth has averaged two percent per year, which is well below America’s historical average.
Daily News & Commentary
Start your day with our roundup of the latest labor developments. See all
July 26
Prop 22 survives; video game workers take action; NLRB challenged.
July 25
Disney union reaches tentative agreement, FAA agrees to improve worker conditions, and Olympic dancers drop strike notice.
July 24
Unions demand end to military aid for Israel; UAW and Teamsters hold out on Harris endorsement; Judge declines to block FTC ban on non-competes
July 23
NLRB drops appeal of a district court case striking down its joint employer rule; red states challenge EEOC’s pregnancy rule; and the WNBA players’ union taps advisors.
July 22
Unions respond to Biden's exit, many back Harris.
July 19
The Bronx Defenders Union announces a tentative collective bargaining agreement; Amazon workers continue a strike in Skokie; Bangladesh students continue protests over government job quotas.