Lauren Godles is a student at Harvard Law School.
The U.S. Census Bureau has good news for Americans: household incomes increased in the largest annual surge ever recorded (5.2%) in 2015. The average household income now stands at $56,516 and is up for the first time since 2007. However, it still stands below the pre-recession high from 1999. The New York Times Editorial Board criticized both major presidential nominees for not yet talking about how to help the poor in light of these statistics. However, they predict that Clinton’s proposed agenda items to help families and the working-class would also have benefits for the poor, while Trump’s policies would harm job growth.
Those who thought they had heard the last on Friedrichs may be surprised to see the lead plaintiff’s name in the news again. This week, Rebecca Friedrichs got political with a second editorial in as many months in The Hill. This time, she criticized Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Tim Kaine for “suddenly abandon[ing] right-to-work.” Friedrichs had previously praised Kaine for his support of right-to-work laws in his home state of Virginia, but wrote that she was “disappointed” with his announcement that he now opposes right-to-work nationwide. A Clinton spokesperson asserted that Kaine has been consistent in his positions and has always opposed a federal right-to-work law.
Lastly, the New York Times reassures us that we should not panic that robots are training to do our jobs. This new reality may help us in prioritizing “creative intelligence,” which helps us work with robots, rather than our knowledge bases, which have been long outstripped by computers and other machines.
Daily News & Commentary
Start your day with our roundup of the latest labor developments. See all
July 3
Unions seek a preliminary injunction to prevent USDA downsizing; the D.C. District Court issues a preliminary injunction against new student loan regulations; Matt Bruenig releases an analysis of Starbucks’ ongoing legal battle against Starbucks Workers United.
July 2
First Circuit denies federal worker unions’ mandamus petition; federal court denies preliminary injunction against new union reporting rule; House introduces the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act.
July 1
Trump nominates Keith Sonderling as Labor Secretary; DOL eliminates disparate-impact liability from Title VI regulations; OPM finalizes rule allowing suitability-based removal of federal employees for post-appointment conduct.
June 30
SCOTUS ends removal protections for agencies; staff at NYC cocktail bar vote to unionize.
June 29
In today’s News and Commentary, student-athletes file a class action suit challenging the NCAA’s new Age-Based Rule, a federal judge declines to issue a preliminary injunction against FEMA’s reduction in force but expedites proceedings, and Gavin Newsom opposes California’s proposed billionaire tax in favor of a federal approach. On Thursday, DeJuan Campbell, at basketball player […]
June 28
Philadelphia utility workers announce July 4 strike; national parks workers vote to unionize; Michigan considers “right to disconnect” bill.