Anita Alem is a student at Harvard Law School.
In today’s news and commentary: Underfunding at the NLRB; PEB recommends wage increases to avoid rail strike; NLRB files another complaint against Starbucks; and California begins collecting employee demographic data self-identifying as a descendant of enslaved peoples.
The Guardian reported Wednesday that labor leaders in the United States are sounding the alarm over NRLB funding levels. The NLRB budget has been frozen since 2014, and since then, field staff has been reduced by 37%. The funding crisis is further exacerbated by the 58% increase in union elections last year, particularly due to organizing efforts at Starbucks and Amazon. The latest disappointment over agency funding levels occurred when Congress failed to include an increase in funding for the NLRB within the Inflation Reduction Act. Congress could still increase the NLRB budget through the appropriations process.
As Travis has previously reported, railroad workers have been attempting to reach a contract for more than two years and are on the verge of going on strike, which could have significant implications for supply chains. The Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) recommended providing more significant wage increases and increased health coverage. Railroad Workers United, a committee of the 12 unions that represent the workers, is considering the recommendations and has 30 days to accept the non-binding proposals.
The NLRB filed yet another complaint against Starbucks on Tuesday, adding to the more than 20 complaints that have already been filed against the company. The complaint alleges that Starbucks sent workers at 10 stores letters that insisted that when workers unionize, wages and benefits will be frozen while negotiations occur and that a contract may never be reached; these letters interfered with workers’ NLRB rights.
Finally, California is set to become the first state to begin collecting demographic data of state employees specifically identifying whether the employee is a descendant of enslaved people. The opt-in demographic information may be gathered beginning in 2024 and is anticipated to be publicly available beginning in 2025. California also recently passed a bill in support of reparations and produced a task force report investigating reparations for Black Californians who are descendants of slaves.
Daily News & Commentary
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July 17
Senator J.D. Vance joins Donald Trump’s campaign, targeting pro-labor voters, Project 2025 includes gutting the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), and Seattle Boeing workers prepare for a strike vote.
July 16
Teamsters president speaks at RNC; Starbucks decertification campaign fails; Biden taps new PBGC leader
July 15
Workday bias suit moves forward; DOL proposes new LMRDA rule; Bronx Defenders to go on ULP strike
July 14
Teamsters president to speak at RNC; youth work permit requirement rollbacks; eulogies to Jane McAlevey.
July 12
Dollar Tree and OSHA settle; union leaders split over Biden support; new report on low wages.
July 11
President Biden meets with union leadership and a New York law firm announces new applicant screening policy regarding student protest activity.