USA Today reports that the U.S. federal agencies relied on trucking companies that violated labor laws. XPO Logistics and California Cartage, two companies that were found guilty of labor infractions, and Konoike-Pacific, which was accused of the same kinds of violations by its drivers, are still working as federal contractors or subcontractors. Lawmakers, including Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, responded to USA Today’s investigation by calling on the agencies to change their practices. “The DoD shouldn’t be giving taxpayer-funded contracts to companies that cheat their workers out of wages or take shortcuts on safety,” said Sen. Warren.
“The downfall of the constitutional convention vote last week was a big victory for organized labor,” reports the Albany Times Union. Union organizing against the constitutional convention allowed unions to strengthen member outreach and showed how unions benefit paying members. “In many ways, the organizing methods we used will serve us well if there is an adverse decision in Janus,” New York State United Teachers union spokesman Carl Korn said.
On Sunday, Uber announced that it struck a deal—worth as much as $10 billion—with an investor group, led in part by Japanese conglomerate SoftBank. According to the Los Angeles Times, the deal would include changes to Uber’s corporate governance, and it is in part motivated by “bring[ing] peace to a company defined in 2017 by scandal and infighting.”
The New York Times lists a series of things that employees should consider if they feel that they have been sexually harassed. The article draws on advice from legal experts.
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.