The Washington Post analyzed a recent study that had found that some newly unionized workplaces were more likely to close, employ fewer workers, and have lower wages. The Post found that the study was limited to the one year following a union election, and may not provide accurate information for later years, once the union is able to negotiate a contract. In fact, the Post’s analysis found that electing to unionize a workplace is, on the whole, economically beneficial for the employees at that workplace.
As the debate on a trade agreement, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, continues on Capitol Hill, some Democratic supporters of President Clinton’s signature trade agreement, NAFTA, recently admitted that the trade agreement did hurt some U.S. workers, according to the Washington Post. In the 1990s, Democratic advocates for NAFTA argued that it would help the U.S. middle-class by increasing trade and jobs; labor unions argued that it would encourage outsourcing and hurt U.S. workers. The debate today over the Trans-Pacific Partnership covers much of the same terrain. A Democratic think tank, the Third Way, recently released a report admitting that the NAFTA skeptics were partially right, but arguing that trade agreements since then have done a better job or protecting U.S. jobs since then.
In international news, the pilots union that represents Lufthansa pilots at the company’s low-cost brand, Germanwings, went on strike on Thursday, according to Business Insider. The 48-hour strike is scheduled to end on Friday night. The strike is the next stage in a long-running dispute over the pilots’ pay, working conditions, and pensions. Last year, the pilots union staged 10 strikes. The union has asked management to participate in mediation talks over regarding Lufthansa’s planned expansion of low-cast flights.
In France, a debate is brewing over some of local labor rules that require businesses to be closed one day per week, according to the New York Times. Many regions in France require that bakeries be closed one day per week, so as to protect workers and prevent them from being “overworked and abused.” But some small bakery owners have recently argued that this hurts their business, and makes it harder to compete with large grocery store chains, that may remain open seven days per week.
Closer to home, on Thursday the Missouri House of Representatives passed a “right-to-work” bill that the governor threatened to veto, according to the New York Times. The Missouri Senate has not yet approved the bill, but the Senate is expected to do so. However, it appears that neither chamber would have the votes to overcome Governor Jay Nixon’s veto.
Daily News & Commentary
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October 10
California bans algorithmic price-fixing; New York City Council passes pay transparency bills; and FEMA questions staff who signed a whistleblowing letter.
October 9
Equity and the Broadway League resume talks amid a looming strike; federal judge lets alcoholism ADA suit proceed; Philadelphia agrees to pay $40,000 to resolve a First Amendment retaliation case.
October 8
In today’s news and commentary, the Trump administration threatens no back pay for furloughed federal workers; the Second Circuit denies a request from the NFL for an en banc review in the Brian Flores case; and Governor Gavin Newsom signs an agreement to create a pathway for unionization for Uber and Lyft drivers.
October 7
The Supreme Court kicks off its latest term, granting and declining certiorari in several labor-related cases.
October 6
EEOC regains quorum; Second Circuit issues opinion on DEI causing hostile work environment.
October 5
In today’s news and commentary, HELP committee schedules a vote on Trump’s NLRB nominees, the 5th Circuit rejects Amazon’s request for en banc review, and TV production workers win their first union contract. After a nomination hearing on Wednesday, the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee scheduled a committee vote on President Trump’s NLRB nominees […]