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
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October 12
Workers at the Obama Foundation begin organizing; MLB submits its latest collective bargaining agreement proposal; Brigham & Women's nurses postpone strike.
October 11
UAW President Shawn Fain succeeds in his reelection bid, and Spanish unions call for a general strike.
October 9
DHS proposes a $100k fee for the foreign grad employment program; Trump suspends tech company access to green card program; and private equity perpetuates poor working conditions for home care workers.
October 8
NLRB judge finds UPS unlawfully restricted union insignia; Harvard graduate workers authorize second strike; OSHA orders Union Pacific to pay $300,000 in damages in whistleblower case.
October 7
DOL scraps plan to remove decades-old wage-and-hour guidance from federal regulations; New York enacts personnel records access law; Starbucks loses bid to dismiss Workers United trademark suit.
October 6
Protect College Sports Act dampens athlete unionization outlook; Stanford RA union decides to withdraw petition