The New York Times reports on the Buffalo Bill’s cheerleader’s continued fight for a decent wage and respect on the job. The Times that for most of the cheerleader’s work, they received “not a penny of wages, not from the subcontractor [that managed the team] and certainly not from the Buffalo Bills, a team that each year makes revenue in excess of $200 million.” We’ve covered the ongoing lawsuits over cheerleader wages and working conditions in a two–part explainer.
In labor news from Mexico, the Los Angeles Times has a four-part series on Mexican agricultural workers who supply most American produce. The series details the incredibly harsh conditions they live and work in, and often shockingly harsh treatment by employers. It quotes one worker who explains: “they treated us like slaves.”
In sports news, the Associated Press and Politico report that Michigan’s congress has taken steps to prevent college athletes at public universities from unionizing. A bill passed the Republican-controlled Michigan House along party lines, and will move to the also Republican-controlled Michigan Senate. The legislation is in response to the ongoing efforts to unionize football players at Northwestern university which we’ve previously covered.
The Los Angeles Times reports that district attorneys in L.A. and San Francisco have filed consumer protection lawsuits again Uber. The lawsuits allege the Uber “misleads consumers about the service’s safety, overcharges them and thumbs its nose at the law.” Prosecutors reached a settlement with Lyft over similar allegations. We’ve covered Uber and its workforce issues previously.
In political news, Streetsblog reports that the continuing resolution omnibus spending bill currently pending in Congress to avert a government shutdown could also roll back recently enacted rules limiting truck drivers’ hours. In 2011, the Department of Transportation began implementing a rule that essentially reduced the maximum number of drivers hours per week from 82 hours down to 70 hours. The rule is meant to reduce crashes in improve safety. The bill could repeal this rule.
Finally, the Detroit News reports that on Wednesday, the city emerged from bankruptcy proceedings. The elected leaders will take over, as the emergency manager, Kevyn Orr, steps down.
Daily News & Commentary
Start your day with our roundup of the latest labor developments. See all
April 20
Immigrant truckers file federal lawsuit; NLRB rejects UFCW request to preserve victory; NTEU asks federal judge to review CFPB plan to slash staff.
April 19
Chicago Teachers’ Union reach May Day agreement; New York City doormen win tentative deal; MLBPA fires two more executives.
April 17
Los Angeles teachers reach tentative agreement; labor leaders launch Union Now; and federal unions challenge FLRA power concentration.
April 16
DOD terminates union contracts; building workers in New York authorize a strike; and the American Postal Workers Union launches ads promoting mail-in voting.
April 15
LAUSD school staff reach agreement; EBSA releases deregulatory priorities; Trump nominates third NLRB Republican.
April 14
Meatpacking workers ratify new contract; NLRB proposes Amazon settlement; NLRB's new docketing system leading to case dismissals.