The New York Times reports that NYC Mayor Bill DeBlasio signed an executive order on Tuesday that expanded the city’s living wage law, “covering thousands of previously exempt workers and raising the hourly wage itself, to $13.13 from $11.90, for workers who do not receive benefits.” The order covers employees of commercial tenants on projects that receive more than $1 million in city subsidies. Yet the move also has symbolic power, as state lawmakers prepare to debate whether the Mayor should have the power to raise the citywide minimum wage as well. “Administration officials cast the move as an extension of other policies aimed at reducing the wide gap between rich and poor, like the expansion of paid sick leave and the mayor’s long-term plan to build more affordable housing.”
The Wall Street Journal opinion page is critical of several French unions that went on strike last week after two workers were suspended without pay for drinking rum punch while operating train signals. The piece notes that while labor protests are nothing new in France, this strike comes as President François Hollande and Prime Minister Manuel Valls are trying to reform the country’s labor laws, and are considering various changes to unions’ power and a possible end to the 35-hour work week.
Reuters reports that Hyundai Motor Corp. reached a tentative deal with its South Korean labor union, potentially resolving disputes and ending strikes that had carried on longer than expected. The union had resumed a partial strike last week after the company bid $10 billion for a plot of land in Seoul on which it planned to build a headquarters and automotive theme park. According to the article, “its winning bid sent shares in the company plunging.”
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