
Zachary Boullt is a student at Harvard Law School.
As vaccine rollout begins, companies and industry groups have begun aggressively lobbying states to give their workers priority after health care workers and nursing home residents. Since each state has discretion regarding who will receive the second round of vaccine, different industries have begun making their case. These include rideshare employers, food delivery services, the airline industry, the hotel industry, the trucking industry, the meatpacking industry, retail employers, and employers along supply chains like Amazon. Arguments range from the essential role some workers played during the pandemic, to how hard the industry was hit by the pandemic, to infrastructure vitality. Some employers are also turning to appeals to private pharmaceutical vendors to secure vaccines through that channel rather than through the public health system.
Workers at Arizona State University announced that they are unionizing. The ASU workers will join University of Arizona workers in being members of local chapter University Campus Workers of Arizona 7065, a wall-to-wall union covering all workers at the universities. The union is part of Communication Workers of America. Unionization efforts were begun at both campuses through coalitions that formed in response to the pandemic. The union is expected to work on issues regarding pay gaps and job security, particularly in light of pandemic-related furloughs and non-renewal of contracts.
As one immediate consequence of the pandemic relief bill that has cleared both houses of Congress, American Airlines has announced its intent to begin recalling furloughed employees as soon as the bill is approved. The first paychecks will be sent on December 24, with pay and benefits retroactive to December 1. The relief bill is expected to cover airlines’ payroll funds through the first quarter of 2021.
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July 4
The DOL scraps a Biden-era proposed rule to end subminimum wages for disabled workers; millions will lose access to Medicaid and SNAP due to new proof of work requirements; and states step up in the noncompete policy space.
July 3
California compromises with unions on housing; 11th Circuit rules against transgender teacher; Harvard removes hundreds from grad student union.
July 2
Block, Nanda, and Nayak argue that the NLRA is under attack, harming democracy; the EEOC files a motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought by former EEOC Commissioner Jocelyn Samuels; and SEIU Local 1000 strikes an agreement with the State of California to delay the state's return-to-office executive order for state workers.
July 1
In today’s news and commentary, the Department of Labor proposes to roll back minimum wage and overtime protections for home care workers, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit by public defenders over a union’s Gaza statements, and Philadelphia’s largest municipal union is on strike for first time in nearly 40 years. On Monday, the U.S. […]
June 30
Antidiscrimination scholars question McDonnell Douglas, George Washington University Hospital bargained in bad faith, and NY regulators defend LPA dispensary law.
June 29
In today’s news and commentary, Trump v. CASA restricts nationwide injunctions, a preliminary injunction continues to stop DOL from shutting down Job Corps, and the minimum wage is set to rise in multiple cities and states. On Friday, the Supreme Court held in Trump v. CASA that universal injunctions “likely exceed the equitable authority that […]