A number of Democrats have voiced frustration with President Obama’s decision to delay an Executive Order to halt deportation of undocumented immigrants. Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) accused Obama of “playing it safe” and fellow Democrats of turning their backs on the party’s “values and principles.” The L.A. Times reports. At the Nation, Michelle Chen discusses the delay and responses, arguing that stronger labor rights must go hand in hand with immigration reform.
This summer, over 60,000 Silicon Valley workers filed a class action against their employers, claiming the companies collaborated to suppress wages. Four defendants – Apple, Google, Intel and Adobe – have appealed the rejection of a proposed $324.5 million settlement reached with attorneys for the workers. Appealing to the 9th Circuit, the companies claim that U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh “applied a mechanical formula that overrode sensitive judgments of the class’s [workers] own counsel,” and that the ruling “will inflict significant harm on all parties and the class action procedure.” The Wall Street Journal reports.
The Indianapolis Fraternal Order of Police and Indianapolis Professional Firefighters Union have sued their city in response to proposed changes to health insurance plans for 2015, alleging the plans violate existing union contracts. The Indianapolis Star reports.
The BBC surveys the range of views British labor groups have expressed on the prospect of an independent Scotland. As the nation prepares for a referendum next week, some groups have expressed worry that a split United Kingdom would damage workers’ rights, leading to a “race to the bottom”.
Daily News & Commentary
Start your day with our roundup of the latest labor developments. See all
July 17
Canadian wildfires endanger rail workers; 26 Meta employees allege targeted layoffs for those on paid leave; FIFPRO pushes for more rigorous heat protections for players.
July 16
Trump's NLRB nominee set for Senate vote, federal district court grants partial win on WARN Act claims, Brigham and Women's nurses return to work.
July 15
U.S. labor productivity climbs at its fastest pace in decades; a federal judge grants a preliminary injunction to anti-abortion groups challenging Michigan’s civil rights law; and Jackson, Mississippi’s bus workers walk off the job.
July 14
DOJ opens investigation of UAW president; LIUNA protests Pfizer building collapse; national park workers unionize
July 13
New York Times files retaliation suit against the EEOC; US government pushes back TPS designation termination for Haiti; federal judge grants preliminary injunction to federal workers seeking reasonable telework accommodations.
July 12
Postal workers demand investigation into Atlanta distribution center conditions following deaths; University of Chicago Press Workers vote to unionize.