The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development released a new report detailing the initial results of a survey on job skills across 24 countries. According to the New York Times, the report revealed that U.S. workers are falling “dangerously behind” its peers, particularly in math. The report contributes to the ongoing debate over the existence of a job skills shortage in the U.S., a frequent contention of U.S. employers.
Thousands of demonstrators rallied at the National Mall calling for “broad immigration legislation that includes a path to citizenship for immigrants in the country illegally.” The New York Times, L.A. Times and others report that eight congressmen, all Democrats, were among the 200 people arrested, including labor leaders and immigration advocates, when they stood or sat in the street in front of the Capitol following the rally. Several Republican congressmen also attended the rally.
Lights, camera, vote. The L.A. Times reports that members of Teamsters Local 399 are casting ballots to elect their secretary-treasurer after “an unusually close and deeply divisive election.” Teamsters Local 399 represents “4,500 studio transportation coordinators, location managers, casting directors, animal wranglers and drivers who haul stars, props and equipment to film and TV sets.”
Also in California, the L.A. Times reports that major sports leagues, such as the NFL and Major League Baseball, and workers’ compensation insurers claimed a legislative victory yesterday as California Governor Jerry Brown signed into law a bill that limits the eligibility of out-of-state professional athletes to file workers’ compensation claims in the state.
In international news, the New York Times reports that 70,000 teachers in the Mexican state of Oaxaca ended a seven week strike, returning to Oaxaca from Mexico City after an unsuccessful attempt to get the national Congress to repeal recent education laws. The teachers plan to continue their campaign against the laws at home, however, taking advantage of Oaxaca’s geographic isolation to resist implementation of the laws. The Times also reports that in India, “striking workers shut off electricity and cellphone service to a large section of the southern … state of Andhra Pradesh” to protest the announcement by India’s governing coalition to divide the state into two. The plan still needs to be approved by the state assembly and passed by both houses of Parliament before it goes into effect.
Daily News & Commentary
Start your day with our roundup of the latest labor developments. See all
May 16
Supreme Court hears a case about universal injunctions; Champion of workers' rights announces run for Colorado Attorney General; Sesame Street is officially union!
May 15
Unions in Colorado urge Governor Polis to sign Senate Bill 5; more than 1200 Starbucks workers go on strike; and IATSE calls on President Trump to reinstate Shira Perlmutter.
May 14
District court upholds NLRB's constitutionality, NY budget caps damage awards, NMB or NLRB jurisdiction for SpaceX?
May 13
In today’s News and Commentary, Trump appeals a court-ordered pause on mass layoffs, the Tenth Circuit sidesteps a ruling on the Board’s remedial powers, and an industry group targets Biden-era NLRB decisions. The Trump administration is asking the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to pause a temporary order blocking the administration from continuing […]
May 12
NJ Transit engineers threaten strike; a court halts Trump's firings; and the pope voices support for workers.
May 9
Philadelphia City Council unanimously passes the POWER Act; thousands of federal worker layoffs at the Department of Interior expected; the University of Oregon student workers union reach a tentative agreement, ending 10-day strike