Edward Nasser is a student at Harvard Law School.
McDonald’s paid $3.75 million to settle a federal lawsuit in California that sought to hold the company liable for one of its franchise owners failing to failing to pay proper wages. The suit is one of several filed after the NLRB issued complaints in 2014 seeking to hold McDonald’s and other franchisors as joint employers. Joe Sellers, an attorney for the workers, said the settlement marked the first time McDonald’s committed to paying workers for labor violations in a franchisee-operated store.
Ford reached a tentative four year deal with Unifor early Tuesday morning. Unifor is Canada’s largest private-sector union, and a strike would have disrupted production at factories that accounts for nearly 10% of Ford’s North American output. The deal is reported to be similar to Unifor’s agreement with G.M. and Fiat, though details have yet to be released.
The Harvard Business Review offers an interesting discussion on winners and losers in the gig economy. Workers with specialized skills and expertise as well as entrepreneurial workers are those that come out on top; workers whose skills are common or commoditized lose out.
For those reading Today’s News & Commentary who want to escape office life, the New York Times offers some advice on how to quit. Among the tips: “If I cared what everyone else thinks, I would still be at a blue-chip company and feeling unfulfilled.”
Daily News & Commentary
Start your day with our roundup of the latest labor developments. See all
September 17
Unions push to block Google from buying Spirit Airlines employment records; U.S. Department of Labor sues Oklahoma coffee chain over alleged wage violations.
September 16
Trump nominates Catherine Eschbach as EEOC general counsel; NLRB declines to resolve union work-assignment dispute; Allina Health physicians begin four-day strike.
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.