The Wall Street Journal reports on “high-stakes negotiations” between the Metropolitan Opera and the singer’s union, including management filing an unfair labor practice charge with the NLRB “even before across-the-table talks begin.” The Opera “is seeking to cut pay for members of the three biggest unions by more than 16%.”
The New York Times reports that a federal judge approved “a document that cleared the way for tens of thousands of Detroit’s retirees, employees and bondholders to begin receiving ballots on the city’s plan for rebuilding and shrinking its debt.” The Times notes, however, that the agreements reached so far do not include “settlements with the Detroit Fire Fighters Association and the city’s largest union of police officers.”
In international news, the New York Times reports on “the growing might of Chinese workers amid a shrinking labor pool, a slowing economy and the Communist Party’s fears of social unrest,” as well as “the increasing potency of social media despite the government’s best efforts to limit news and information that might inspire workers to stand up to employers who can fire troublemakers at will — or call on the police to jail labor organizers.”
The Washington Post reports that the “Missouri state Senate was shut down temporarily Tuesday by a group of protesters demanding the state expand Medicaid under Obamacare.” The Post notes that “Missouri is one of more than 20 states that has chosen not to expand low-income assistance to the poor under the program.”
Finally, Danny Westneat writes in the Seattle Times that private sector unions, rather than continuing to shrink, are being reinvigorated by city-by-city efforts to raise pay for workers, noting that “the idea is to wage broader, public-spirited campaigns like the $15 wage fight” and then channel that leverage “to bring the national brands to the bargaining table” on a broader level.
Daily News & Commentary
Start your day with our roundup of the latest labor developments. See all
April 3
Chicago Teachers Union reaches tentative agreement; SEIU rallies for first amendment protection; Representatives introduce Protect America's Workforce Act.
April 2
Local academic unions face pushback in negotiations
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.