Responding to the #MeToo movement and the Supreme Court’s decision in Epic Systems, the California State Senate passed a bill that would prohibit employers from requiring a mandatory arbitration provision or nondisclosure agreement as a condition of employment. Big business argued that the law, which is awaiting Gov. Jerry Brown’s signature, would conflict with the Federal Arbitration Act and would thus be ineffective.
The stock market’s steady gains continued yesterday, and the bull market became arguably the longest in U.S. history. But as the New York Times reports, the $15 trillion in newly created wealth has accrued mostly to the wealthy. For the average American, most of their wealth is held in their home, and home prices and incomes have risen at lower rates than the stock market. In fact, the median American household wealth in 2016 remained 34% below where it was before the recession.
Encouraged by the recent overwhelming rejection of a ballot measure to institute right-to-work in their state, Missouri Democrats hope that Senator Claire McCaskill’s re-election campaign might be buoyed by a ballot measure to increase the minimum wage. However, some experts doubt that the measure will have the same galvanizing effect on union members, who typically make above the minimum wage and so would not directly benefit from the measure’s passage.
Daily News & Commentary
Start your day with our roundup of the latest labor developments. See all
August 16
New documents show that federal surveillance operations targeted Minnesota labor unions during the ICE surge, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission denies halting federal class discrimination complaints.
August 14
Hollywood unions diverge in response to the Paramount-Warner merger saga; Tesla defeats a years-long strike in Sweden, and labor scholars advocate for state sectoral bargaining policy innovation.
August 13
EEOC complaint process expected to harm federal workers; former UAW leaders endorse Fain challenger; Xbox employees protest layoffs.
August 12
Third Circuit affirms dismissal of driver’s bias and retaliation claims against CBS and Teamsters; employment litigation surges in Washington state; MIT Sloan professor argues the rise of “disposable workers” is transforming American employment.
August 11
Rideshare drivers nearing union certification in California; UFCW campaigns against electronic shelf labels; Teamsters support NYC delivery driver bill.
August 10
Employee sues for a fossil-fuel-free 401(k) plan as a religious accommodation; DHS submits a proposed rule eliminating 60-day grace period for H-1B workers; Eighth Circuit dismisses constitutional challenge to the FMSHRC.