Martin Drake is a student at Harvard Law School.
Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown, a possible 2020 presidential contender, said Sunday that Democratic candidates have to speak to workers’ needs if they plan to win in 2020, the Associated Press reports. Senator Brown had the most votes of any Ohioan in the November 6 elections, and says he won because he talked about the dignity of work. Senator Brown told NBC’s “Meet the Press” that he has not yet decided whether to run in 2020.
JP Morgan Chase committed to an $18 minimum wage for its Washington, D.C. workers last week, the Washington Post reports. The company also made a commitment that 40 percent of its new hires should move up within the firm. The promises come as part of a nationwide expansion for the banking giant. Currently, D.C.’s minimum wage is $13.25 per hour.
Two unions have filed a lawsuit against the government of Puerto Rico, accusing it of mismanaging employee pension accounts, the Associated Press reports. The American Federation of Teachers and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees allege that the Puerto Rican government failed to create defined-contribution accounts as promised and instead invested hundreds of millions of dollars in pension contributions in accounts that earn very little interest. Puerto Rico has nearly $50 billion in unfunded pension liabilities and is preparing pension cuts sought by the island’s financial oversight board.
Terri Gerstein and David Seligman opined in The American Prospect last week that state and municipal governments should have a prominent role in safeguarding workers’ rights from federal overreach. Specifically, their article argues that local governments should enact whistleblower statutes akin to the False Claims Act to allow private enforcement of workers’ rights through the court system. The article highlights the EMPIRE Act in New York as a relevant legislative effort.
Daily News & Commentary
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July 1
In today’s news and commentary, the Department of Labor proposes to roll back minimum wage and overtime protections for home care workers, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit by public defenders over a union’s Gaza statements, and Philadelphia’s largest municipal union is on strike for first time in nearly 40 years. On Monday, the U.S. […]
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.