Hannah Belitz is a student at Harvard Law School.
The Los Angeles Times reports that the Public Employment Relations Board, California’s labor oversight board, plans to file for an injunction to stop the Alliance College-Ready Public Schools, a large charter organization, from interfering with teacher unionization efforts. United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) began a drive to organize Alliance teachers in March, and since then has filed four unfair practice claims against the charter organization. It asked the Board to file the injunction, stating that it cannot wait for the resolution of those claims because Alliance’s actions — intimidating employees, preventing organizers from accessing school buildings, and blocking emails — have “resulted in a chilling effect on the employees’ responsiveness to unionization, which is threatening the effectiveness of organizing efforts.”
On Tuesday, Uber announced a plan to expand its business to cities like Buffalo, Rochester, and Albany, extolling the number of jobs it could bring to the area. As the New York Times notes, this “legislative and public relations push,” coupled with similar efforts by Lyft, “suggest that ride-sharing could be at play in the next legislative session, which begins in January.”
According to Politico, in the next few days Fiat Chrysler workers will either approve or reject the tentative contract with UAW. The agreement promises to phase out the two-tier wage system, provide raises to entry-level workers, and deal with unpredictable scheduling. Because the workers voted down the first contract, this second vote also serves as a “referendum” on the leadership of UAW President Dennis Williams.
At the Washington Post, Lydia DePillis describes how students have picked up the Fight For $15 movement for themselves. Inspired by workers across the country speaking up for higher wages, students are now asking universities to raise the on-campus minimum wage. Although the student campaigns are mainly independent of the union-backed Fight for $15 movement, they share the goal of earning enough money to cover their bills. As Beth Huang, a coordinator for the Student Labor Action Project (SLAP), explained, “tuition, housing, textbooks are increasing in price while student wages have largely stayed stagnant.”
Daily News & Commentary
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July 15
U.S. labor productivity climbs at its fastest pace in decades; a federal judge grants a preliminary injunction to anti-abortion groups challenging Michigan’s civil rights law; and Jackson, Mississippi’s bus workers walk off the job.
July 14
DOJ opens investigation of UAW president; LIUNA protests Pfizer building collapse; national park workers unionize
July 13
New York Times files retaliation suit against the EEOC; US government pushes back TPS designation termination for Haiti; federal judge grants preliminary injunction to federal workers seeking reasonable telework accommodations.
July 12
Postal workers demand investigation into Atlanta distribution center conditions following deaths; University of Chicago Press Workers vote to unionize.
July 10
Brigham and Women’s Hospital locks out 4,000 nurses after one-day strike; appeal filed challenging agency-shop agreements.
July 9
The Second Circuit declines to vacate an arbitration award over a nursing union dispute; federal workers sue the Department of Defense for termination of union contracts; New York City announces settlement with companies for violating New York work laws.