Hilary Rodham Clinton plans to speak out against the “Cadillac tax,” which imposes taxes on certain employer-based health coverage plans, writes the New York Times. Under current proposals, employers can avoid paying the tax if they reduce health care benefits to their workers, in hopes of limiting overall health care costs. Members of the American Federation of Teachers, which endorsed Clinton earlier this year, are likely to be affected by the tax. Clinton’s opposition to the Cadillac tax may garner support from other unions as well.
The United Arab Emirates announced it will introduce reforms to strengthen oversight of employment agreements for temporary migrant workers. Al Jazeera reports that the reforms focus on improving transparency of job terms, clarifying how contracts can be broken, and easing the process for workers who want to switch employers. The government aims to ensure that the millions of temporary migrant workers in the UAE voluntarily enter and stay in their employment relationships.
The Labor Department is granting $1.55 million to eight state and local governments to explore paid leave policies. Under an order from President Obama, federal employees receive six weeks of paid leave after the birth, adoption or placement of a foster child in their family, but only “12 percent of private sector workers have access to similar paid leave polices,” according to The Hill. The paid leave grants are part of a larger Obama administration strategy to implement paid leave policies for all workers.
The New York Times discusses an ironic twist for immigrant workers hired by U.S. firms through temporary work visas. Companies like Toys “R” Us and the New York Life Insurance Company have hired foreign workers, who then closely study those businesses’ employees in the United States—to replicate their jobs in other countries and ultimately replace the American workers. The companies see the outsourcing as a key part of reducing costs; critics say that outsourcing removes jobs from the U.S., even in industries where the labor supply can meet corporate demands.
Daily News & Commentary
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April 11
Trump considers measures to return farm and hospitality workers to the US after deportation; Utah labor leaders make final push to get the “Protect Utah Workers” referendum on the state’s ballot; hundreds of probationary National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration employees were re-terminated
April 10
Chief Justice Roberts pauses reinstatement of NLRB Chairwoman Wilcox and MSBP Chairwoman Harris, former EEOC Commissioner Samuels sues Trump alleging unlawful firing, and unions sue to block Trump executive order targeting collective bargaining agreements at federal agencies that have national security missions.
April 8
D.C. Circuit reinstates Wilcox; DOL attempts to trim workforce again; unions split regarding Trump tariffs
April 7
State legislatures threaten to expand E-Verify coverage; the EEOC enforces at least parts of its PWFA regulations.
April 6
In today’s news and commentary, Alabama enacts paid parental leave for state employees, a new jobs report could be upended by tariff policies, and labor unions help plan mass demonstrations across the country. In Alabama, Governor Kay Ivey signed a bill that provides paid parental leave to state employees, including public school teachers. The law, […]
April 4
Colorado Senate Bill 5 sparks heated debate over union security thresholds; SEIU launches national ad campaign protesting detention of union members; 60,000 UC workers strike over alleged unfair labor practices.