Yesterday, hundreds of workers gathered at the United Farm Workers’ Forty Acre complex in Delano, CA to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Delano grape strike. Organized by Filipino American and Latino workers, the strike incited an international boycott of nonunion grapes and led to the formation of UFW. The Fresno Bee reports that the anniversary event featured speeches by the sons of both Cesar Chavez and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., as well as UFW co-founder Dolores Huerta.
American Apparel has turned to notorious union busting firm Cruz & Associates to stymie growing labor unrest at its Los Angeles headquarters. Per the New York Post, workers have been attempting to organize under the auspices of the General Brotherhood of Workers in response to cuts in hours and wages, layoffs, and the forced departure of founder Dov Charney.
Scott Walker may no longer be running for president, but at least one commentator hopes that his proposal to repeal the Davis-Beacon Act has longer legs than the Wisconsin governor’s campaign. Writing in the Wall Street Journal, Andy Koenig describes the history of the law — which requires that federal construction projects of $2,000 or more pay the prevailing union wage — as “despicable” and “disturbing.” He goes on to suggest that repealing the law would “restore fairness to the bidding process for federal construction projects, end a discriminatory policy that continues to hurt minority communities, and save billions of dollars for the American taxpayer.”
Daily News & Commentary
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October 22
SCOTUS declines Wilcox appeal; Penn State research assistants win bargaining rights; SEIU sued over military leave firing.
October 21
DOL withdraws tipped-worker rule; Instacart settles hiring-bias claims; Phillips 66 locks out New Jersey refinery workers.
October 20
Korean unions oppose labor exemption bill; Portland city workers prepare for strike; UPenn grad student union looks to dismiss university filing
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.