Donald Trump has angered yet another constituency: his own employees. Since workers at the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas voted to join the Culinary Workers Union and the Bartenders Union last December, Trump’s managers have fought unionization. Besides filing 15 objections with the National Labor Relations Board, hotel managers have refused to negotiate for a contract. The Los Angeles Times discusses Trump’s switch from his supporting unions to refusing to negotiate with them.
Koch Industries and the Obama administration usually face off from across the political aisle, but they’re uniting to knock down barriers to employment for ex-convicts. According to Bloomberg, executives from 19 major companies, including Facebook, Alphabet and American Airlines, have signed a pledge to end the practice of asking job applicants whether they have criminal records. In a time when Wall Street often resents the White House for additional regulations, the President hopes to draw in more corporate partners in its criminal justice and rehabilitation initiatives.
It’s been a tough year for Volkswagen, and executives are about to feel the sting. Under pressure from shareholders and labor leaders, the company’s board might call on executives to give up a portion of their bonuses, reports the Wall Street Journal. Volkswagen management is also trying to assuage the company’s works council by jointly developing a long-term strategy for the brand alongside labor representatives.
After leading the charge for a $15 minimum wage in California, some unions are seeking an exemption for their members. The Guardian explains that union leaders argue the exemption “would give businesses and unions the freedom to negotiate for better agreements,” with flexibility to balance lower wages against better benefits. Critics of the exemption declare unions are merely trying to get more members and dues to support their political agenda. But SEIU president Mary Kay Henry brushed off the criticisms that the Fight for $15 campaign costs too much. She told the Guardian that the movement has changed the conversation in the country and raising wages for millions of workers, and “there is not a price tag you can put on” that change.
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October 12
Workers at the Obama Foundation begin organizing; MLB submits its latest collective bargaining agreement proposal; Brigham & Women's nurses postpone strike.
October 11
UAW President Shawn Fain succeeds in his reelection bid, and Spanish unions call for a general strike.
October 9
DHS proposes a $100k fee for the foreign grad employment program; Trump suspends tech company access to green card program; and private equity perpetuates poor working conditions for home care workers.
October 8
NLRB judge finds UPS unlawfully restricted union insignia; Harvard graduate workers authorize second strike; OSHA orders Union Pacific to pay $300,000 in damages in whistleblower case.
October 7
DOL scraps plan to remove decades-old wage-and-hour guidance from federal regulations; New York enacts personnel records access law; Starbucks loses bid to dismiss Workers United trademark suit.
October 6
Protect College Sports Act dampens athlete unionization outlook; Stanford RA union decides to withdraw petition