When New York University undertook to build a campus in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, it issued a “statement of labor values” to guarantee that its workers were treated fairly. Despite that statement, however, the New York Times reports that the construction workers who built the Abu Dhabi campus faced harsh conditions, unpaid wages, physical violence, and retaliation for strikes. In the wake of the Times’ article, the University issued an apology to any mistreated workers. N.Y.U.’s president, John Sexton, called the treatment of workers described in the article, “if true as reported, troubling and unacceptable.”
The Associated Press reports that as the U.S. economy has improved since the Great Recession, many new jobs have been filled by temporary “contract” workers. Whereas in the past, such jobs “tended to rise during recessions and recede during recoveries,” in the past several years “[p]art time workers have accounted for more than 10 percent of U.S. job growth.” This trend has some economists worried, since contract workers contribute less to the economy than full-time, permanent workers.
According to the Wall Street Journal, aluminum giant Alcoa has agreed to a new five-year deal with the United Steelworkers Union that will cover 6,100 workers at 10 plants. Despite a downturn in the global aluminum market, the deal has generally been perceived as highly favorable to the union. Steve Morris, the president of USW Local 309, which represents many of the company’s workers, said that “since 2001, this is the best deal we’ve had.”
The Huffington Post reports that a former cheerleader for the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers sued the team Monday, claiming that its pay practices violate the Fair Labor Standards Act. This is the latest in a series of such suits; in recent months cheerleaders have leveled similar claims against the New York Jets, The Cincinnati Bengals, the Buffalo Bills, and the Oakland Raiders.
Daily News & Commentary
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July 1
In today’s news and commentary, the Department of Labor proposes to roll back minimum wage and overtime protections for home care workers, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit by public defenders over a union’s Gaza statements, and Philadelphia’s largest municipal union is on strike for first time in nearly 40 years. On Monday, the U.S. […]
June 30
Antidiscrimination scholars question McDonnell Douglas, George Washington University Hospital bargained in bad faith, and NY regulators defend LPA dispensary law.
June 29
In today’s news and commentary, Trump v. CASA restricts nationwide injunctions, a preliminary injunction continues to stop DOL from shutting down Job Corps, and the minimum wage is set to rise in multiple cities and states. On Friday, the Supreme Court held in Trump v. CASA that universal injunctions “likely exceed the equitable authority that […]
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.