The Ninth Circuit struck down on Friday a Seattle ordinance that purported to give Lyft and Uber drivers the right to unionize. The panel said that Washington had not authorized the law specifically enough, but upheld the trial court’s ruling that Seattle’s law was not pre-empted by the National Labor Relations Act. Some workers’ advocates see the opinion as an overall win, as the court articulated how states could authorize such pro-unionization laws.
The New York Times reports that a high school principal in Queens has been reassigned to a new position after being accused of several acts of sexual misconduct. The New York City government has paid out over $600,000 to settle several lawsuits that accused the principal, Howard Kwait, of sexual harassment and discrimination. City agencies settled 32 such suits from 2014 to 2017 for a total of $4.7 million. Mr. Kwait was accused of making sexual advances on subordinates, discrimination against a teacher on the basis of pregnancy, and retaliation. The move comes as the City seeks to strengthen its sexual harassment responses.
Washington D.C. is grappling with the possible effects if Amazon chooses the city for its second headquarters. Some residents and city leaders are concerned that the influx of workers would burden infrastructure, create traffic, and exacerbate a housing shortage. Amazon has suggested that the average salary for the up-to 50,000 new jobs at HQ2, as it is known, would be $100,000. D.C. Council member Robert C. White, Jr. noted that the city is already experience dramatic gentrification and displacement, and the addition of thousands of high-earning workers may worsen the problem.
Daily News & Commentary
Start your day with our roundup of the latest labor developments. See all
April 24
NYC unions urge Mamdani to veto anti-protest “buffer zones” bill; 40,000 unionized Samsung workers rally for higher pay; and Labubu Dolls found to contain cotton made by forced labor.
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.