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.
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October 19
FDA reverses course on policy prohibiting off-duty union activity; FAA and NATCA reach deal to secure pay increase for air traffic controllers.
October 18
Federal judge again halts cancellation of the Bureau of Prisons’ CBA; tabletop gaming workers face roadblocks in union recognition.
October 16
Department of Labor reduces wage-and-hour enforcement at unionized workplaces; Fain's victory poses question of federal monitor's extension.
October 15
New reporting examines the rollback of child labor protections; California tries to block a strike; NLRB charges Wisconsin mental health provider with firing workers during union drive.
October 14
Eleventh Circuit overturns ERISA exhaustion rule; DHS finalizes removal of automatic renewal for work permits; AFGE challenges SSA over flexible scheduling policy.
October 13
Chicago hotel workers remain on strike; a coalition of Democratic states sues the Labor Department over canceled unemployment insurance grants; the Federal Labor Relations Authority establishes a new mediation framework for federal worker disputes.