Testifying before a House of Representatives subcommittee, Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta highlighted apprenticeships and job training. These topics also seem to be current priorities for President Trump. Secretary Acosta’s testimony predictably signaled efforts to change the overtime rule and the fiduciary rule (which we described here and here), both from the Obama era.
In Massachusetts, worker Jose Flores broke his femur in an on-the-job accident and filed for worker’s compensation against his employer. When he went to a meeting arranged by the employer, Flores encountered ICE agents, who detained him and started deportation proceedings. Commentary on Flores’ case highlights how fear of immigration consequences chills reporting (which we discussed here) and illuminates the need for such reporting: wage theft is rampant, 40% of workplace injuries and illnesses are not paid for by worker’s compensation, and workplace deaths are on the rise.
July 1, 2017 will see a paid sick leave requirement take effect in both Chicago and Cook County. The city passed its ordinance in June 2016 and proposed regulations in May 2017. Comment on those regulations remains open until June 16. Cook County passed its ordinance in October 2016, with regulations approved last month. Municipalities may opt out of the county’s requirement before July 1, 2017, and many already have.
In the New York Times’ opinion pages, Jared Bernstein argues that “a robust, highly progressive agenda has been coming together” among Congressional Democrats. This agenda includes a stipend for families with children, direct job creation, expansion of the earned-income tax credit, and a higher national minimum wage. Hoyt N. Wheeler responds that such an agenda must include efforts to revive the American labor movement.
Daily News & Commentary
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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.
June 24
In today’s news and commentary, the DOL proposes new wage and hour rules, Ford warns of EV battery manufacturing trouble, and California reaches an agreement to delay an in-person work mandate for state employees. The Trump Administration’s Department of Labor has advanced a series of proposals to update federal wage and hour rules. First, the […]
June 23
Supreme Court interprets ADA; Department of Labor effectively kills Biden-era regulation; NYC announces new wages for rideshare drivers.
June 22
California lawmakers challenge Garmon preemption in the absence of an NLRB quorum and Utah organizers successfully secure a ballot referendum to overturn HB 267.