The Wall Street Journal reports that President Obama plans to sign an executive order which would bar federal contractors from discriminating against employees based on gender identity or sexual orientation. The White House is currently finalizing details – including whether or not to allow an exemption for non-profit religious organizations – and will likely not issue an order until the Supreme Court announces its decision in Hobby Lobby. The Washington Post visualizes the scope of the planned executive order’s coverage.
The Wall Street Journal also reports that American Airlines has reached a tentative agreement with the International Association of Machinists union. Earlier in the year, bargaining between the union and company was at an impasse, with the union objecting to American Airlines’ merger with US Airways. The Machinists union has said that the new agreement provides “substantial wage increases, job security improvements and maintain[s] industry-leading health care benefits.”
The New York Times offers a visualization of employment to population ratios on a state-by-state basis across America. Though the familiar labor market indicator of unemployment rates have been nearing pre-recession lows, the share of “adults with jobs — or employment rates — look[s] much less healthy.”
Daily News & Commentary
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August 31
California lawmakers and rideshare companies reach an agreement on collective bargaining legislation for drivers; six unions representing workers at American Airlines call for increased accountability from management; Massachusetts Teamsters continue the longest sanitation strike in decades.
August 29
Trump fires regulator in charge of reviewing railroad mergers; fired Fed Governor sues Trump asserting unlawful termination; and Trump attacks more federal sector unions.
August 28
contested election for UAW at Kentucky battery plant; NLRB down to one member; public approval of unions remains high.
August 27
The U.S. Department of Justice welcomes new hires and forces reassignments in the Civil Rights Division; the Ninth Circuit hears oral arguments in Brown v. Alaska Airlines Inc.; and Amazon violates federal labor law at its air cargo facility in Kentucky.
August 26
Park employees at Yosemite vote to unionize; Philadelphia teachers reach tentative three-year agreement; a new report finds California’s union coverage remains steady even as national union density declines.
August 25
Consequences of SpaceX decision, AI may undermine white-collar overtime exemptions, Sixth Circuit heightens standard for client harassment.