Alexa Kissinger is a student at Harvard Law School.
After loud resistance from Democrats, the FCC voted to repeal Obama-era rules requiring broadband providers to treat all internet traffic as equal. The New York Times reports the now-repealed Obama-era regulations regulated high-speed internet as if it were a utility, prohibiting providers from blocking certain websites or charging for select services or content. This decision, though expected, was preceded by an extremely messy comment period with a record-breaking 22 million comments infiltrated by a mix of bots, memes, and fake accounts. Several groups, including the trade group for Facebook and Google have said they are contemplating legal action.
On Thursday, President Trump announced his administration’s plan to shrink the Code of Federal Regulations to its 1960 size. After the remarks, the White House issued a statement saying agencies have issued 67 deregulatory actions while imposing only three new regulations since the President took office. This follows the Executive Order the President signed shortly after his Inauguration requiring agencies to slash two regulations for every new regulation put into place. According to POLITICO, the current Administrator of OIRA tempered the President’s remarks saying “returning to 1960 levels would likely require legislation.”
In a party-line vote, the National Labor Relations Board overturned Browning-Ferris Industries, reinstating the prior standard for joint-employer liability. Browning-Ferris Industries’ indirect control requirement had given workers leverage when challenging the labor practices of large chains. Now, a company will only be deemed a joint employer with proof of direct control over the employee.
The Senate HELP Committee advanced two key Department of Labor appointees to the full Senate. Preston Rutledge has been nominated to be assistant secretary of Labor for the Employee Benefits Security Administration and Kate O’Scannlain to serve as DOL’s solicitor.
The New York Times published a series of essays on the recent revelations on sexual harassment and women and power in the workplace. Worth a read.
Daily News & Commentary
Start your day with our roundup of the latest labor developments. See all
May 12
NJ Transit engineers threaten strike; a court halts Trump's firings; and the pope voices support for workers.
May 9
Philadelphia City Council unanimously passes the POWER Act; thousands of federal worker layoffs at the Department of Interior expected; the University of Oregon student workers union reach a tentative agreement, ending 10-day strike
May 8
Court upholds DOL farmworker protections; Fifth Circuit rejects Amazon appeal; NJTransit navigates negotiations and potential strike.
May 7
U.S. Department of Labor announces termination of mental health and child care benefits for its employees; SEIU pursues challenge of NLRB's 2020 joint employer rule in the D.C. Circuit; Columbia University lays off 180 researchers
May 6
HHS canceled a scheduled bargaining session with the FDA's largest workers union; members of 1199SEIU voted out longtime union president George Gresham in rare leadership upset.
May 5
Unemployment rates for Black women go up under Trump; NLRB argues Amazon lacks standing to challenge captive audience meeting rule; Teamsters use Wilcox's reinstatement orders to argue against injunction.