News & Commentary

February 7, 2017

Edward Nasser

Edward Nasser is a student at Harvard Law School.

The Justice Department filed a brief in the 9th Circuit in support of its motion to stay the injunction barring enforcement of the order. An hourlong oral argument is scheduled for today. SEIU and the Washington State Labor Council filed two amicus briefs in support of the plaintiffs.The SEIU’s brief focuses on the stories of six individuals personally affected by President Trump’s travel ban.

Gov. Scott Walker spoke with Vice President Mike Pence last week about potentially taking parts of Wisconsin’s union law and public workforce overhaul and implementing it on the national level, reports the Washington Post. Wisconsin’s 2011 law law barred collective bargaining over working conditions and required workers to pay more for health care and pension benefits. Backlash over the law led to an unsuccessful attempt to recall Gov. Walker in 2012. Congressional Republicans have also introduced a national right-to-work bill which has yet to be debated.

Andrew Puzder, President Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Labor, faces further delay of his confirmation hearing after acknowledging yesterday that he employed an undocumented immigrant as a house cleaner. Mr. Puzder added that when he learned of her status, he terminated her employment, offered her assistance in getting legal status, and paid back taxes in full to the state of California and the I.R.S. 

The New York Times offers some analysis on Judge Neil Gorsuch’s opinions on labor and workplace issues. His decisions include criticism of OSHA and the Department of Labor in two separate cases for overstepping their congressional authority in penalizing business misconduct. OnLabor has covered Judge Gorsuch’s judicial approach here and here.

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