The Huffington Post reports that a group of workers employed under federal contracts at the National Zoo and the Department of Education have filed a complaint with the Department of Labor “alleging that they’ve been illegally underpaid for years.” The complaint was brought on behalf of the workers by Good Jobs Nation, an organization that “has been trying to pressure the White House to use executive orders to raise wages and benefits for jobs funded by taxpayer dollars.”
The Chicago Tribune reports that a nurses’ union, National Nurses United, has accused University of Chicago Medecine of bargaining in bad faith and illegally inhibiting organizing. The union also contends that the management has met with the nurses directly, rather than negotiating with the union, in violation of federal labor law. One union official said that “We feel like we are reaching a strike point.”
In the wake of reports of large-scale layoffs at Southern California Edison Co., a group of U.S. Senators has called for an investigation into whether the company abused a federal visa program, according to the Los Angeles Times. Democrat Richard Durbin of Illinois and Republican Jeff Sessions of Alabama, who led the bipartisan group, wrote that they were “concerned about recent information that has come to light regarding the abuse of the H-1B visa program by Southern California Edison (SCE) and other employers to replace large numbers of American workers.” Laid off workers, supported by local unions, have alleged that the company hired foreign workers to reduce labor costs.
In international news, the Associated Press reports that thousands of protesters took to the streets throughout France on Thursday as part of “a day of nationwide strikes” that closed schools and the Eiffel Tower, as well as cancelling thousands of flights. The protesters were challenging a number of unpopular proposed measures, including “state funding cuts, planned increases in the retirement age, and business-friendly reforms that could make firing workers easier.”
Daily News & Commentary
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March 6
A federal judge hears Wilcox's challenge to her NLRB removal and the FTC announces a "Joint Labor Task Force."
March 5
In today’s news and commentary, lots of headlines for the United Auto Workers as the union comes out in support of tariffs, files for an election at a Volkswagen distribution center in New Jersey, and continues to bargain a first contract at the Chattanooga VW plant they organized last spring. The UAW released a statement […]
March 4
In today’s news and commentary, the Tennessee Drivers Union allegedly faces retaliation for organizing, major hospital groups are hit with a wage suppression lawsuit, and updates from Capitol Hill. The Tennessee Drivers Union announced on social media that its members are facing retaliation from Uber and Lyft for their rideshare organizing activities. Specifically, 34 members […]
March 3
Democrats invite fired federal workers to Trump’s address to a joint session; the NLRB’s acting general counsel announces agency focus on boosting settlements; the United Federation of Teachers may face a regime change
March 2
Judge partially blocks federal worker firings; Trump Administration wants data on federal worker unions; AFT fights Musk by pressuring Tesla.
February 28
In today’s news and commentary, a Senate committee advances Lori Chavez-DeRemer’s nomination and UAW reaches a tentative agreement with Rolls-Royce. On Thursday, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions voted to advance the nomination of Lori Chavez-DeRemer for Secretary of Labor, 14-9. At the Senate hearing, Senator Bernie Sanders, the committee’s ranking member, […]