Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has authored an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal arguing that “[i]t is time for Congress to save the Postal Service, not dismantle it.” Senator Sanders argues in support of the Postal Service Protection Act, proposed legislation that he introduced in the Upper House. The bill proposes two changes: ending prefunding of the future retiree health fund and ending restrictions on the Postal Service’s flexibility to offer new products and services, such as financial services.
The New York Times reports on rising tensions between NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio and Eva Moskowitz, who runs the City’s Success Academy Charter Schools. Last week, the Mayor’s office cancelled plans for 3 new Success Academy schools. Mayor de Blasio has said that the Success Academy charters—staffed by nonunionized employees—have a “destructive impact” on public schools. Supporters of the charters note that Success Academy students consistently outperform their public school peers on state tests.
In a New York Times op-ed, Thomas B. Edsall examines economic literature on the relationship between inequality and economic performance. He analyzes the work of both conservative and liberal economists, as well the politics surrounding issue of wealth and inequality.
In international news, after being criticized for demanding government assistance as a condition for continuing its minivan production in Canada, Fiat-Chrysler withdrew its request. Instead, the New York Times reports that the automaker plans to make big investments in two Ontario factories without government aid. Jerry Dias, national president of Unifor—the union formerly known as the Canadian Auto Workers—reacted positively to the news, but noted “the importance of developing a long-term strategy, including public investment, if we want to have a strong, competitive advanced manufacturing sector.”
Daily News & Commentary
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October 27
Some California union locals defy their statewide leadership to back the state’s billionaire tax proposal; a Brown University technology center releases a map of the hidden global workforce behind AI; the National Women's Soccer League and its players union settle six grievances.
October 26
Harvard dining workers authorize strike; New York City bans horse carriages; Brooklyn nurses rally in support of colleague.
October 25
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders unionize; Bureau of Prisons again pushes for union contract cancellation; CSU faculty votes on strike authorization.
October 23
Employers increasingly shift health care costs onto workers and NYC proposes placing restrictions on fully automated customer service.
October 22
SCOTUS declines Wilcox appeal; Penn State research assistants win bargaining rights; SEIU sued over military leave firing.
October 21
DOL withdraws tipped-worker rule; Instacart settles hiring-bias claims; Phillips 66 locks out New Jersey refinery workers.