According to the Washington Post, the U.S. Postal Service violated federal law by pressuring managers to approve employees’ requests for time off last year to campaign for Hilary Clinton. While federal workers can use their time to off to campaign or donate to candidates, by directing managers to approve the time off even though they may be understaffed, the Postal Service showed a workplace bias toward Clinton and other Democrats endorsed by the union. Some of these facts came to light at a recent legislative hearing, and the union responded it would submit its own statement to the House Committee to “address the legitimacy and accuracy of some of the data and statements from the investigation and the hearing.”
According to research from Ball State University’s Center for Business and Economic Research, 25% of American jobs are at risk of being outsourced and 50% could be replaced by automation. The research found the most replaceable jobs are often the lowest-paying, and the Americans most at risk of automation earned an average of $38,000 per year. Conversely, there was no clear relationship between income level and jobs most likely to be outsourced. The researchers predicted these job losses would cause “social and political unease.”
According to research from the BBC, only 1/3 of the BBC’s top-paid stars are women and a much smaller fraction are minority. The research showed that the top-paid male TV personalities earn more than the top-paid female TV personalities. While the BBC argues it is more diverse than other broadcasting channels, some Members of Parliament disagree and argue the BBC is still “an old boys network.”
Daily News & Commentary
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September 15
Documents reveal the inner workings of Amazon's union avoidance program; Washington state public sector unions reach tentative deals amid a difficult bargaining cycle; hundreds of Nevada Culinary Union members protest their union's health care changes.
September 14
NCAA and Big Ten file motion to dismiss in former star player's NIL suit; Seventh Circuit rules against former postal worker in discrimination suit.
September 13
Documents released on the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks show that city officials encouraged workers to return to Ground Zero despite knowing the risks of asbestos exposure, and new polls demonstrate continued widespread support for labor unions.
September 10
Amazon workers allege pregnancy discrimination; federal unions challenge USDA reorganization; NYC warns of silicosis risks.
September 9
Wynn Las Vegas employees allege anti-union retaliation; Amazon faces a class action over pregnancy accommodations; H-1B demand plunges following a six-figure visa fee.
September 8
In today’s News and Commentary, workers and unions across America celebrate Labor Day, California’s SEIU Local 1000 prepares for a strike authorization vote, and New York City creates the Office of Worker Power. On Monday, labor unions and workers gathered in cities across the United States in celebration of Labor Day. Parades and rallies took […]