Labor unrest is growing at NPR, the United States’ largest radio news organization. The nonprofit group, which recently faced a staff rebellion over its handling of sexual harassment allegations against a top newsroom executive, now faces criticism that it is exploiting its temp workers. Up to 20% of NPR’s staff is employed on a temporary basis, meaning they have very little job security. NPR argues that its use of temp workers allows it to remain nimble, keeping costs low while still being able to adjust to breaking news event. But the precarious position of temps is not unrelated to NPR’s earlier scandal: one of the employees who alleged sexual harassment by the NPR executive was a temp worker.
Harvard Law School’s Pipeline Parity Project won another in a series of victories in its campaign against forced arbitration at American law firms. Kirkland & Ellis LLP, one of the largest firms in the country, announced on Friday that it would drop forced arbitration for non-attorney staff. Previously, Kirkland had only said that it would eliminate forced arbitration for its attorneys on staff, but PPP continued to pressure the firm, emphasizing that non-attorney staff were even less able to navigate the employer-friendly landscape of forced arbitration.
Chicago’s charter school teachers reached a tentative agreement yesterday to end their strike, which started a week ago. The strike was the first in the nation against a charter school operator and follows widespread public school teachers’ strikes this spring. The deal reduces class sizes and teacher hours while increasing salaries over the four years of the contract. Notably, the deal also includes provisions about the collection and distribution of student information at the 15 area schools, where students are heavily Latino. Teachers feared their students, some of whom lack immigration authorization, might be put at risk without such a provision.
Following a fourth weekend of nationwide protests, French President Emmanuel Macron will address the French people today. The speech is Macron’s first substantive response to the Yellow Vest movement, indicating that he is beginning to feel the intensity of popular anger that may threaten his presidency. The protests were ignited by a proposed increase in the gas tax, but have evolved to encompass a broader range of social ills, including cuts to social services and management-friendly labor law reforms. Approximately 70% of the French population supports the Yellow Vests, while less than 20% approve of Macron’s job performance.
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June 30
Antidiscrimination scholars question McDonnell Douglas, George Washington University Hospital bargained in bad faith, and NY regulators defend LPA dispensary law.
June 29
In today’s news and commentary, Trump v. CASA restricts nationwide injunctions, a preliminary injunction continues to stop DOL from shutting down Job Corps, and the minimum wage is set to rise in multiple cities and states. On Friday, the Supreme Court held in Trump v. CASA that universal injunctions “likely exceed the equitable authority that […]
June 27
Labor's role in Zohran Mamdani's victory; DHS funding amendment aims to expand guest worker programs; COSELL submission deadline rapidly approaching
June 26
A district judge issues a preliminary injunction blocking agencies from implementing Trump’s executive order eliminating collective bargaining for federal workers; workers organize for the reinstatement of two doctors who were put on administrative leave after union activity; and Lamont vetoes unemployment benefits for striking workers.
June 25
Some circuits show less deference to NLRB; 3d Cir. affirms return to broader concerted activity definition; changes to federal workforce excluded from One Big Beautiful Bill.
June 24
In today’s news and commentary, the DOL proposes new wage and hour rules, Ford warns of EV battery manufacturing trouble, and California reaches an agreement to delay an in-person work mandate for state employees. The Trump Administration’s Department of Labor has advanced a series of proposals to update federal wage and hour rules. First, the […]