The Trump Administration’s announcement that it plans to end DACA has understandably been the topic of the moment (see our coverage here and here). At the Atlantic, Priscilla Alvarez profiles the fears and challenges “Dreamers” face in light of the announcement. “Where can ‘Dreamers’ put their trust?” Jose Antonio Vargas queries in a New York Times opinion piece this weekend. Vargas’ article similarly captures the perspective of the many young people who feel jilted by the announced policy change.
Another New York Times piece describes the employee-led efforts at Google which revealed that women employees are paid less than male employees at the tech giant. About 1,200 Google employees compiled salary and bonus information for 2017. The data show that women are paid less than men on average, particularly in mid-level positions, and that men employees tend to receive larger bonuses. The insights gleaned are qualified by the fact that the data was compiled by employees representing only about 2% of Google’s global workforce.
Last week, the 11th Circuit ruled that breastfeeding is a medical condition protected by the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA). In Hicks v. Tuscaloosa, 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, No. 16-13003, Stephanie Hicks (a police officer) was transferred from a narcotics task force to a patrol division eight days after returning from medical leave for giving birth. Upon Hicks’ doctor’s recommendation to Hicks’ supervisor that wearing a bulletproof vest all day, as was required on the patrol division, could lead to infections which would interfere with Hicks’ ability to breastfeed, Hicks was given the choice of either wearing no vest or a larger one (rather than being transferred to a different position). The court found that the failure to accommodate Hicks’ breastfeeding amounted to a constructive discharge. Notably, there is a circuit split on this issue—the 5th Circuit has also found that the PDA covers breastfeeding, while the 6th Circuit has held that it does not.
Daily News & Commentary
Start your day with our roundup of the latest labor developments. See all
May 12
NJ Transit engineers threaten strike; a court halts Trump's firings; and the pope voices support for workers.
May 9
Philadelphia City Council unanimously passes the POWER Act; thousands of federal worker layoffs at the Department of Interior expected; the University of Oregon student workers union reach a tentative agreement, ending 10-day strike
May 8
Court upholds DOL farmworker protections; Fifth Circuit rejects Amazon appeal; NJTransit navigates negotiations and potential strike.
May 7
U.S. Department of Labor announces termination of mental health and child care benefits for its employees; SEIU pursues challenge of NLRB's 2020 joint employer rule in the D.C. Circuit; Columbia University lays off 180 researchers
May 6
HHS canceled a scheduled bargaining session with the FDA's largest workers union; members of 1199SEIU voted out longtime union president George Gresham in rare leadership upset.
May 5
Unemployment rates for Black women go up under Trump; NLRB argues Amazon lacks standing to challenge captive audience meeting rule; Teamsters use Wilcox's reinstatement orders to argue against injunction.