A strike could begin on the Long Island Rail Road as soon as July 20th, the New York Times reports. Transportation workers and the M.T.A. have not been able to reach agreement on a new contract, despite multiple attempts at federal mediation since December. M.T.A. leaders say they have offered the union “everything that they’ve asked for” but two federal mediation panels have determined that the union’s offer is the “most reasonable,” according to the Times. Under the Railway Labor Act, Congress could intervene to resolve the dispute, however, lawmakers have indicated they will not step in.
In employment news, several prominent gay rights groups have withdrawn their support for ENDA due to renewed concern over its religious exemption language, according to the Washington Post. ENDA, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, would provide workplace anti-discrimination protections to LGBT employees. However, its exemptions for religious employers are far broader than equivalent exemptions in other anti-discrimination laws—and following the Hobby Lobby decision, some advocates fear ENDA would give employers broad license to discriminate against LGBT workers.
In response to the continuing crisis of child migrants at the southern border, President Obama has asked for $4 billion to increase immigration enforcement, according to the New York Times. The Times also reports that the surge in child migrants is due to children fleeing increased gang violence in Central America. The United States provides some greater protections to children entering the country alone than to adults entering the country due to a 2008 law to combat child trafficking, according to the Times.
In other immigration news, immigrant children are suing the United States for failing to provide legal counsel to children in deportation hearings, according to the Los Angeles Times. The plaintiffs are represented by immigration advocacy groups, and they argue that deportation proceedings without counsel violate constitutional due process.
The Ninth Circuit has ruled that Arizona cannot deny driver licenses to formerly undocumented immigrants who were granted documentation via the deferred action program (DACA), according to the New York Times.
Daily News & Commentary
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April 23
Trump administration wins in 11th Circuit defending a Biden-era project labor agreement rule; NABTU convenes its annual legislative conference; Meta reported to cut over 10% of its workforce this year.
April 22
Congress introduces a labor rights notification bill; New York's ban on credit checks in hiring takes effect; Harvard's graduate student workers go on strike.
April 21
Trump's labor secretary resigns; NYC doormen avoid a strike; UNITE HERE files complaint over ICE concerns at FIFA World Cup
April 20
Immigrant truckers file federal lawsuit; NLRB rejects UFCW request to preserve victory; NTEU asks federal judge to review CFPB plan to slash staff.
April 19
Chicago Teachers’ Union reach May Day agreement; New York City doormen win tentative deal; MLBPA fires two more executives.
April 17
Los Angeles teachers reach tentative agreement; labor leaders launch Union Now; and federal unions challenge FLRA power concentration.