Yesterday, the Chicago regional director of the NLRB ruled that football players at Northwestern are employees of the university, and are therefore entitled to unionize. Niko’s excellent post yesterday explained this new development. We previously covered the football player’s unionization drive, and some of the potential implications of NCAA unions. The Wall Street Journal and New York Times also covered the story.
In other sports news, the MLB and the players union are close to an agreement imposing harsher penalties on players who use performance-enhancing drugs. The New York Times reports that the two sides will re-open the existing labor contract to add the new punishments, rather than waiting for a new collective bargaining agreement to address the issue.
In immigration news, House Democrats are trying to force a vote on the immigration reform bill according to the Los Angeles Times. House Democrats are using a discharge petition, which requires 218 signatures to bring a bill to the House floor over the objections of House Speaker John Boehner.
On Wednesday, Connecticut’s legislature voted to raise their state minimum wage to $10.10, the highest in the country, according to the Washington Post. The rate increase will be phased in through 2017. $10.10 is the same rate that President Obama is advocating for the federal minimum wage. Maryland is also considering raising their minimum wage to $10.10, the Washington Post reports. This week the Maryland legislature is holding hearings on the remaining sticking point: the minimum wage for caregivers for developmentally disabled residents.
The union representing TSA officers reiterated its called for officers to be armed, according to the Los Angeles Times. The American Federation of Government Employees first suggested arming TSA officers after a deadly shooting at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in November. This past Wednesday, the TSA released its report on the November incident along with 14 suggestions for improve airport checkpoints. The report did not include any recommendation that officers be armed. TSA Administrator John Pistole said “[t]he vast, vast majority” of TSA officers don’t believe that carrying firearms is a “good idea.”
Daily News & Commentary
Start your day with our roundup of the latest labor developments. See all
April 1
In today’s news and commentary, Aramark workers at Philly stadiums reach tentative agreement, Crystal Carey is poised to take general counsel at NLRB, President Trump’s nominees for key DOL positions, and the National Treasury Employees Union sues the Trump administration. UNITE HERE Local 274, which represents thousands of food service workers in the Philadelphia region, […]
March 31
Trump signs executive order; Appeals court rules on NLRB firing; Farmworker activist detained by ICE.
March 28
In today’s news and commentary, Wyoming bans non-compete agreements, rideshare drivers demonstrate to recoup stolen wages, and Hollywood trade group names a new president. Starting July 1, employers will no longer be able to force Wyoming employees to sign non-compete agreements. A bill banning the practice passed the Wyoming legislature this past session, with legislators […]
March 27
Florida legislature proposes deregulation of child labor laws, Trump administration cuts international programs that target child labor and human trafficking, and California Federal judge reversed course and ruled that unions representing federal employees can sue the Trump administration over mass firings.
March 25
Illinois warehouse quota bill vetoed; Minnesota residents organize; circuit split on NLRB deference continues
March 23
Mahmoud Khalil and labor; CA Fast Food Council's slow start; debating worker-to-worker organizing