Alexander W. Miller is a student at Harvard Law School.
With Wal-Mart poised to settle the last remnants of a proposed nationwide class action alleging gender discrimination on behalf of 1.6 million women, six workers have sought permission to intervene in the lawsuit and certify a regional class centering on California. The intervenors argue that by settling the case, the named plaintiffs no longer adequately represent the interests of a potential class denied certification in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. v. Dukes decision. Though the Ninth Circuit previously refused to hear an interlocutory appeal of that denial, the intervenors propose taking the case to a final judgment so that the denial can be appealed as a matter of right.
The New York Times reports on recent efforts by progressive advocacy organizations to expand Social Security benefits, especially for workers who have taken time off to care for family members. The article takes note of a recent shift in rhetoric from concerns about the program’s financial stability toward bipartisan support for at least some benefit increases, though identifying additional revenue for the Social Security trust fund remains crucial to most proposals.
Just over two weeks after their previous contract expired, the largest union representing municipal workers in the City of Philadelphia agreed on a new four-year contract. Avoiding the controversies that often attend the renegotiation of pension contributions, the deal found workers agreeing to a compromise system of tiers in which higher-paid employees contribute more to the retirement fund. All workers will receive a raise compounding to 12% over the life of the contract, far exceeding the recent average increase in similar public sector negotiations.
Moving quickly to address the potential trade consequences of Brexit, new British Prime Minister Theresa May began negotiations this week on fresh deals with the United States and Australia. While a member of the European Union, the United Kingdom had been prevented from signing separate agreements. Despite trade and its impact on workers being a divisive issue within both campaigns in the American presidential race, Republicans in Congress have already begun to pressure to the Obama administration to move quickly to avoid disruptions in the economic relationship between the two countries.
Daily News & Commentary
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July 4
The DOL scraps a Biden-era proposed rule to end subminimum wages for disabled workers; millions will lose access to Medicaid and SNAP due to new proof of work requirements; and states step up in the noncompete policy space.
July 3
California compromises with unions on housing; 11th Circuit rules against transgender teacher; Harvard removes hundreds from grad student union.
July 2
Block, Nanda, and Nayak argue that the NLRA is under attack, harming democracy; the EEOC files a motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought by former EEOC Commissioner Jocelyn Samuels; and SEIU Local 1000 strikes an agreement with the State of California to delay the state's return-to-office executive order for state workers.
July 1
In today’s news and commentary, the Department of Labor proposes to roll back minimum wage and overtime protections for home care workers, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit by public defenders over a union’s Gaza statements, and Philadelphia’s largest municipal union is on strike for first time in nearly 40 years. On Monday, the U.S. […]
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 […]