Zachary Boullt is a student at Harvard Law School.
President Biden has formed a task force to make recommendations on how to promote labor organizing. Created by executive order, the task force will be led by Vice President Harris and will recommend both ways existing policies can be used to support organized labor and new policies that could assist as well. The task force will also focus on encouraging federal government workers to join unions, as well as target marginalized workers and parts of the country with union hostility. The task force’s recommendations will be issued with 180 days. President Biden has also issued an executive order requiring that federal contractors institute a $15 minimum wage for contract solicitations. The minimum hourly rate is also set to rise annually with inflation. The order raised the previous Obama-era rate by $4.05. The new minimum wage will apply to new contracts, renewed contracts, and existing contracts whose companies undergo annual review. The order will also phase the tipped minimum wage for federal contractors over three years to equal the standard minimum wage by 2024.
Adjunct faculty and graduate students at Virginia Commonwealth University have unionized. 60 staffers and graduate students organized under United Campus Workers of Virginia. VCU is the second university in the state to have organized under United Campus Workers. Union members are asking for more pay per credit hour and more job security, as many are struggling to pay for household expenses under the current rate. The union has received vocal support from a current member and a former member of the Virginia House of Delegates.
Contract negotiations between the United Steelworkers and ExxonMobil Corp at Exxon’s Beaumont, Texas refinery facility are reaching a boiling point. Exxon has threatened to lock out workers on May 1 if no agreement is reached by then. The Steelworkers have threatened to strike in response. The president of the union’s local Darrel Kyle stated that the focus of the negotiations are currently on worker safety and job security. The lockout notice was issued by Exxon after the Steelworkers offered extending the previous six-year agreement by one year.
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September 4
Eighth Circuit avoids a challenge to Minnesota’s ban on captive audience meetings; ALJ finds that Starbucks violated the NLRA again; and a district court certifies a class of behavioral health workers pursuing wage claims.
September 3
Treasury releases draft list of tipped positions eligible for tax break; Texas court rules against Board's effort to transfer case to California; 9th Circuit rules against firefighters seeking religious exemption to COVID vaccine mandate.
September 2
AFT joins Target boycott, Hilton workers go on strike in Houston, and the Center for Labor & A Just Economy releases a new report
September 1
Labor Day! Workers over Billionaires protests; Nurses go on strike, Volkswagen ordered to pay damages.
August 31
California lawmakers and rideshare companies reach an agreement on collective bargaining legislation for drivers; six unions representing workers at American Airlines call for increased accountability from management; Massachusetts Teamsters continue the longest sanitation strike in decades.
August 29
Trump fires regulator in charge of reviewing railroad mergers; fired Fed Governor sues Trump asserting unlawful termination; and Trump attacks more federal sector unions.