Hannah Belitz is a student at Harvard Law School.
The Los Angeles Times reports that a coalition of unions representing over 20,000 Los Angeles city employees has voted to support a proposed contract with the city. According to union officials, they secured pay raises and a commitment to hire thousands of new workers. In addition, union members will not have to pay any added out-of-pocket costs for healthcare premiums and pension plans will be kept in place for existing employees. The agreement does reduce the retirement benefits offered to new hires, however, and it also holds off on raises until summer 2017. The proposed contract, which follows over a year of bargaining, is expected to go to City Council for approval in October.
Health insurance deductibles are outpacing wage increases, according to an analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation and reported in the New York Times. Kaiser estimates that, since 2010, deductibles have risen over six times faster than have workers’ earnings. Kaiser’s chief executive said that many of the insurance policies rely on high deductible to keep premiums low, and some employers have also increased their deductibles to defray the higher costs associated with the federal health care law. This coincides with a stagnation of wages, leaving many workers unable to pay for the healthcare services they need.
Politico weighs in on Walker’s exit from the GOP presidential primary, cautioning that Walker’s political career may not be truly over. IAFF President Harold Shaitberger had a different perspective, however. “I think this ends his national political career, and maybe his political career,” Shaitberger said. “I can’t imagine anyone considering him for anything in national politics, much less a place on the ticket.” AFSCME President Lee Saunders used Walker’s withdrawal to warn Republican presidential candidates against nominating Supreme Court justices who would “further rig the rules for the wealthy.” Politico notes that Saunders was probably referring to Friedrichs.
Daily News & Commentary
Start your day with our roundup of the latest labor developments. See all
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.
June 24
In today’s news and commentary, the DOL proposes new wage and hour rules, Ford warns of EV battery manufacturing trouble, and California reaches an agreement to delay an in-person work mandate for state employees. The Trump Administration’s Department of Labor has advanced a series of proposals to update federal wage and hour rules. First, the […]