According to the New York Times, 34,000 participants in the Teamsters union will have their pension benefits cut by nearly 30%. The participants voted to cut benefits in order to help the “cash-strapped plan.” Although more members voted no than voted yes, to defeat the proposal required a majority of the eligible voters not the votes cast. The Teamsters union is now the third so-called multiemployer pension plan to cut benefits.
An article in the Nation states that Canada is pressuring the Trump administration to raise labor standards as part of any NAFTA renegotiation. Particularly, Canada is focused on ensuring the U.S. protects unionization and collective bargaining. Canada has even urged the Trump administration to ban right-to-work laws. The Canadian government is being pressured by Canadian unions who fear that the U.S.’s lax labor standards take away Canadian jobs.
The Detroit News reports that Amazon will create 1000 new jobs in Shelby Township near Detroit. The new facility will be 1 million square feet and completes Amazon’s expansion into Michigan. This final facility will bring the total Amazon workforce in Michigan to 3,500.
Daily News & Commentary
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August 19
NLRB swears in third Trump-appointed Member; Teamster file complaint against Amazon in New York; unions and college students sue Trump admin for international student immigration restrictions
August 18
New Trump administration rules will remove the Merit Systems Protection Board's independence; a CFPB union leader suspended alleges retaliation; the National Treasury Employees Union requires its members to pay dues as it battles to stay financially afloat.
August 17
Tensions rise between New York City's teachers' union and City Hall; NLRB judge finds Brooklyn hospital violated labor law.
August 16
New documents show that federal surveillance operations targeted Minnesota labor unions during the ICE surge, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission denies halting federal class discrimination complaints.
August 14
Hollywood unions diverge in response to the Paramount-Warner merger saga; Tesla defeats a years-long strike in Sweden, and labor scholars advocate for state sectoral bargaining policy innovation.
August 13
EEOC complaint process expected to harm federal workers; former UAW leaders endorse Fain challenger; Xbox employees protest layoffs.