In the Wall Street Journal, President Trump’s failed Labor Secretary nominee, Andy Puzder, comments on Amazon’s decision to withdraw its plan to build a second headquarters in New York City. Puzder argues that progressive groups won a victory for workers in the Amazon case — but not for the reason they think. He says that workers will win when Amazon relocates its plans to Virginia, Tennessee, or other rumored states because their salaries will go much further in these low-cost, “more capitalist than socialist” regions. Of course, Puzder is speaking only of Amazon’s highly paid white-collar workers, not its warehouse workers, who might appreciate New York’s higher minimum wage. Puzder also blames unions for Amazon’s withdrawal, and notes appreciatively that unions are much weaker in Virginia and Tennessee. Puzder is the the former CEO of CKE Restaurants, which was recently sued by Towards Justice and several state attorneys general for its illegal use of noncompete clauses for fast-food workers. David Seligman and Brian Shearer discussed the application of antitrust law to such employer activity recently right here at OnLabor.
Southwest Airlines blamed its mechanics’ union for flight delays and cancellations last week. The airline and the union have been locked in contract negotiations for years over issues of pay, benefits, overtime, staffing shortages, and safety concerns. The FAA has increased its oversight of the airline during the labor dispute, concerned that it could harm passenger safety.
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June 2
Proposed budgets for DOL and NLRB show cuts on the horizon; Oregon law requiring LPAs in cannabis dispensaries struck down.
June 1
In today’s news and commentary, the Ninth Circuit upholds a preliminary injunction against the Trump Administration, a federal judge vacates parts of the EEOC’s pregnancy accommodation rules, and video game workers reach a tentative agreement with Microsoft. In a 2-1 decision issued on Friday, the Ninth Circuit upheld a preliminary injunction against the Trump Administration […]
May 30
Trump's tariffs temporarily reinstated after brief nationwide injunction; Louisiana Bill targets payroll deduction of union dues; Colorado Supreme Court to consider a self-defense exception to at-will employment
May 29
AFGE argues termination of collective bargaining agreement violates the union’s First Amendment rights; agricultural workers challenge card check laws; and the California Court of Appeal reaffirms San Francisco city workers’ right to strike.
May 28
A proposal to make the NLRB purely adjudicatory; a work stoppage among court-appointed lawyers in Massachusetts; portable benefits laws gain ground
May 27
a judge extends a pause on the Trump Administration’s mass-layoffs, the Fifth Circuit refuses to enforce an NLRB order, and the Texas Supreme court extends workplace discrimination suits to co-workers.