Administrative Law Judge Anna Hamburg-Gal found that the Chicago Police Department violated stated labor laws by failing to negotiate an expansion of its body camera program with the city’s police union. The Judge found that state labor law requires dialogue with the union on “safety and discipline matters.” If this ruling is adopted by the state Labor Relations Board, it would: (1) overturn any discipline resulting from camera loss or misuse; (2) halt further disciplinary action; and (3) require the city to compensate union members for “any losses they may have suffered” from misuse or loss of the body cameras.
Deleware’s Sussex County Council delayed a vote on a right-to-work ordinance because of strong protest from local union members. The union members argued that this ordinance would lower wages and restrict the ability of workers to bargain with their employers. Union members filled the council chamber and questioned councilmembers for six hours. Ultimately, the council decided to table the ordinance until receiving an opinion from the county’s legal counsel.
According to ADP, private sector employers added 250,000 jobs in December resulting in the third month of strong job gain. The job growth was largest in professional and business services followed by education and health and then transportation and utilities. Moreover, mid-size companies and small businesses led the job growth. While economists predict that average job growth could decrease in 2018, they anticipate wage growth will increase, as the labor market tightens and businesses struggle to retain workers.
The Baltimore Teachers Union argued that schools should be closed until the city addresses heating problems in several schools. While four schools did close and two schools dismissed students early, the union advocates for closing several more schools until all the problems are resolved.
Daily News & Commentary
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July 5
A Los Angeles city councilor introduces a proposal to expand fair scheduling practices to fast food workers; contract negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and video game companies struggle on AI; Greece allows for a six-day work week.
July 4
Texas judge halts FTC ban on noncompetes; Biden Administration releases proposed rule protecting workers from excessive heat; California grocery workers ratify new labor contract after authorizing strike.
July 2
University of California strikes end while legal dispute continues; Disneyland workers raise awareness with park visitors; bus workers in Alabama set example for labor policy
July 1
Labor law impacts of Loper Bright and Jarkesy rulings; Unions push for workforce board represntation.
June 30
Explaining the turnaround in Starbucks-union negotiations; overtime rule implementation against Texas enjoined; California reforms PAGA
June 28
Gig driver classification deal reached in Massachusetts; Amazon drivers in Illinois strike over ULP; CEO pay accelerates.