As expected, the New York City Council voted yesterday to cap the number of Ubers allowed to drive within the city, in a win for taxi drivers, who had complained of deflated incomes. The move came despite opposition from the NAACP and other civil rights organizations, who argued that rideshare services like Lyft were more likely to serve customers of color equally. Mayor DeBlasio promised to sign the bill, saying that 100,000 workers would see a benefit from the law.
At the Upshot, a striking study showed that the gender pay gap begins in childhood. Teenage boys spend less time on household chores than teenage girls, but boys using a chore app earned double what girls did for doing chores — $13.80 a week on average for boys versus $6.71 for girls. Boys are also more likely to be paid for basic hygiene tasks, like brushing their teeth and showering, while girls are more likely to be paid for housework. Experts argue that this early practice entrenches gender roles and expectations that can be difficult to overcome later in life.
The number of unfilled jobs hit a 17-year high last quarter. There were 6.7 million job openings this spring, up 750,000 from last year, as the economy continues to strengthen. Yet workers haven’t seen much benefit, as real wages have been largely stagnant. Much of this stagnation can be traced to a decline in union membership, which has been shown to reduce income inequality.
Daily News & Commentary
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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.
August 7
Starbucks beats claims it denied shifts to union workers; Center for State Labor Innovation aims to address labor law shortcomings.