Early Wednesday morning, agents descended on 98 7-Eleven stores in 17 states, from California to Florida, and arrested 21 employers. Federal immigration authorities are beginning to heavily scrutinize businesses that hire unauthorized workers. Wednesday morning’s enforcement operation was the largest operation against employers under the Trump administration. 7-Eleven has terminated the franchise agreements of franchisees convicted of violating federal immigration laws. The New York Times reports.
In the last few days of his administration, Governor Chris Christie signed into law a bill that banned discrimination against breastfeeding in the workplace. This law is an extension of the New Jersey’s civil rights law, and requires employers to provide break time and a suitable location for breastfeeding women to express milk in private. The Associated Press reports.
In Wisconsin, a Republican-sponsored bill that would prevent local governments from enacting ordinances pertaining to employment matters is facing debate. The bill would not allow local governments to pass ordinances on working hours, overtime, benefits, and discrimination and wage claims. This effort to curtail local governance has increased in recent years; since 2016, at least 15 states have passed 28 pre-emptive laws covering everything from barring higher local minimum wages to blocking more generous paid leave provisions. The New York Times reports.
After the tax plan cut corporate taxes from 35 to 21 percent, companies like American Airlines, AT&T, Bank of America, and Nationwide Insurance are handing their employees $1000 bonuses. These bonuses are ways corporations have “shared their bounty” wth employees, but are non-permanent, one-time payouts. The Washington Post reports.
Toyota and Mazda have agreed to build a $1.6 billion assembly plant in Alabama that will employ about 4,000 workers. Alabama will provide tax incentives, which are expected to be close to $1 billion over several years. President Trump has been vocal about his desire for automakers to expand U.S. production and last year, threatened Toyota with hefty tariffs if it built its Corolla sedan in Mexico rather than the U.S. The New York Times reports.
Daily News & Commentary
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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 […]
October 3
California legislation empowers state labor board; ChatGPT used in hostile workplace case; more lawsuits challenge ICE arrests
October 2
AFGE and AFSCME sue in response to the threat of mass firings; another preliminary injunction preventing Trump from stripping some federal workers of collective bargaining rights; and challenges to state laws banning captive audience meetings.