The New York Times Editorial Board applauds recent steps taken by New York University and Columbia University to tighten their policies on unpaid internships to prevent exploitative arrangements. According to a report last year by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, nearly half of the internships taken by college students in the class of 2013 were unpaid, and many likely violated federal labor guidelines requiring that unpaid internships at for-profit companies “must be for the benefit of the intern.”
The Washington Post reports on difficulties federal and state officials have encountered while trying to collect a $6 million judgment against Henry’s Turkey Services, a Texas company that was found guilty last year of discriminating against 32 mentally disabled workers. The verdict was the largest in the history of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The company has since filed for bankruptcy, and federal officials have only collected assets worth between $30,000 and $40,000.
About 330 detainees at an immigration detention center in Tacoma, Washington were on a hunger strike for better conditions as of Sunday afternoon, the L.A. Times reports. The hunger strike began on Friday. The detainees are seeking, among other improvements, an increase in the facility’s $1-a-day wages for work.
The New York Times continues its coverage on the large wildcat strike at an IBM factory in southern China that began last week when more than 1,000 workers walked off the job. According to the Times, this recent strike is the latest in a new wave of labor militancy in China, where a labor shortage has given workers more power, smartphones and social media have helped workers organize, and dissatisfaction among workers with the ineffective state-backed All-China Federation of Trade Unions is widespread.
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York has unveiled a new graphical tool Monday allowing users to study eight aspects of the labor market, including unemployment, employment, labor demand, hours, and wages.
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July 17
Canadian wildfires endanger rail workers; 26 Meta employees allege targeted layoffs for those on paid leave; FIFPRO pushes for more rigorous heat protections for players.
July 16
Trump's NLRB nominee set for Senate vote, federal district court grants partial win on WARN Act claims, Brigham and Women's nurses return to work.
July 15
U.S. labor productivity climbs at its fastest pace in decades; a federal judge grants a preliminary injunction to anti-abortion groups challenging Michigan’s civil rights law; and Jackson, Mississippi’s bus workers walk off the job.
July 14
DOJ opens investigation of UAW president; LIUNA protests Pfizer building collapse; national park workers unionize
July 13
New York Times files retaliation suit against the EEOC; US government pushes back TPS designation termination for Haiti; federal judge grants preliminary injunction to federal workers seeking reasonable telework accommodations.
July 12
Postal workers demand investigation into Atlanta distribution center conditions following deaths; University of Chicago Press Workers vote to unionize.