labor-rights3.845 min read
"Disneyland Character Performers Seek Union Election Approval"
1 year ago•Source: The Associated Press
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9.19 min•1 year ago
"Florida Governor DeSantis Blocks Heat Protections for Workers, Despite Opposition"
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a law preventing cities and counties from implementing heat protections for outdoor workers, despite the state's extreme heat conditions. This move has sparked outrage among workers and activists, who have long advocated for regulations ensuring paid rest breaks, water, and access to shade. The new law, which comes at a time of increasing heat risks due to climate change, has drawn criticism for prioritizing predictability over worker safety and blocking local efforts to protect workers from heat-related illnesses and fatalities.
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"Uncovering California's Top Wage Thief"
NPR•1 year ago
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Tennessee Manufacturer Fined $2M for Employing Underage Children
Fox Business•1 year ago
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Tennessee Factory Fined for Employing Children in Hazardous Work
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Yahoo! Voices
Immigrant children as young as 14 were discovered working illegally at a Tennessee factory that produces lawn mower parts, resulting in a nearly $300,000 fine for the company, Tuff Torq. The children were found working amid dangerous heavy equipment, and the company has been required to set aside $1.5 million to assist the children. The Labor Department emphasized that companies profiting from unlawfully employing children in hazardous occupations will face significant financial consequences, and Tuff Torq has agreed to disgorge profits for the benefit of the children. The company claims the child workers were temporary and not hired directly, and is transitioning away from doing business with the staffing company involved.
"Tennessee Factory Fined $1.5M for Employing Minors in Hazardous Machinery Operation"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by NBC News
Immigrant children as young as 14 were discovered working illegally at a Tennessee factory, Tuff Torq, which produces lawn mower parts for companies like John Deere. The company was fined nearly $300,000 and required to set aside $1.5 million to assist the children. The Labor Department emphasized that putting children in dangerous workplaces is illegal and comes with significant financial consequences. Tuff Torq's general counsel acknowledged the violations and stated that the child workers were temporary and not hired directly by the company. The Labor Department has prioritized child labor enforcement, with a 152% increase in illegally employed children since 2018.
"Uncertainty Looms Over California's Indoor Heat Safety Regulations for Workers"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by NPR
California's proposed rules to protect indoor workers from dangerous heat conditions, including access to water, breaks, and cool-down areas, have been left in limbo due to political opposition. The state's Occupational Health and Safety Administration's standards board was set to vote on the rules, but the vote was pulled from the agenda at the last minute, leaving the rules at risk of being eliminated. This setback reflects a broader challenge in creating worker protections from heat across the country, with only a few states having such rules in place. The worsening heat risks and the impact of climate change underscore the urgent need for these protections, as workers continue to face significant health and safety risks from heat exposure.
"Trump-Appointed Judge Blocks Key Worker Protection Reform"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by HuffPost
A federal judge appointed by former President Donald Trump has struck down a new federal rule, known as the National Labor Relations Board’s “joint-employer” rule, that would have made it easier for fast-food and other workers to organize. The rule aimed to hold big companies like McDonald’s responsible for unfair labor practices involving their franchisees or subcontractors. Business lobbies celebrated the decision as a major win, while the NLRB is considering its next steps. This ruling is seen as a setback for labor advocates and a victory for employer groups, and it highlights the ongoing legal and legislative battles over labor rights and the definition of "joint employers."
"Microsoft-Owned Activision's 1000-Strong Union Marks Milestone in Gaming Industry"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Eurogamer.net
600 Activision Blizzard quality assurance (QA) workers have formed the largest game union in the US, joining the Communications Workers of America (CWA) to create Activision Quality Assurance United - CWA. Microsoft, which acquired Activision Blizzard, voluntarily recognized the union, marking a significant milestone in the gaming industry's labor rights movement. The unionization aims to address low pay and lack of protections for QA testers, and comes amidst increasing industry-wide layoffs and closures, with more US developers moving to unionize in response.
"Google's YouTube Music Layoffs: Allegations of Retaliation and Union Support"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Fortune
Former workers from YouTube Music's Content Operations Team in Austin, who were part of a unionization effort, were abruptly laid off and replaced by workers in India, whom they were instructed to train. Google and Cognizant, the companies involved, deny a mass layoff and claim the contract ended naturally. The workers allege illegal union-busting and are filing Unfair Labor Practice charges. They were seeking better pay, benefits, and flexibility, and are determined to continue fighting for justice. The incident has sparked a debate about labor rights and the treatment of contract workers in the tech industry.
"Florida Senate Passes Bill Limiting Heat Protections for Workers"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The Guardian US
The Florida legislature passed a bill preventing local governments from enacting protections for outdoor workers from extreme heat, drawing criticism for endangering the state's 2 million outdoor workers, particularly in Miami-Dade county. Efforts to establish federal standards have been slow, leaving workers vulnerable to heat-related illnesses and fatalities. Critics argue that the legislation, which takes effect on July 1, is cruel and prioritizes industry interests over worker safety, while proponents stress the urgent need for heat protection standards as extreme heat becomes more frequent and severe.
YouTube Workers in Texas Shocked by Sudden Layoffs During City Council Meeting
Originally Published 1 year ago — by PC Gamer
Unionised YouTube Music contractors in Texas were informed of their layoffs in the middle of a live City Council meeting, with one worker interrupting his speech to announce the news. The contractors, who had voted to join the Alphabet Worker's Union, had been advocating for better working conditions and were in the midst of a dispute with Google and Cognizant over bargaining rights. Google maintains that the layoffs occurred on the contractors' normal expiry date, while the union argues that Google has control over the workers and their working conditions, and is thus obligated to directly negotiate with their union.
"Contractors at YouTube Music in Austin Face Sudden Layoffs Amid Union Support"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Fox Business
Workers contracted with YouTube Music claimed they were laid off during an Austin City Council meeting, prompting a plea for support from the council. The Alphabet Workers Union alleged that Google informed the workers of the layoff just before a scheduled vote by the council on a resolution calling for bargaining in good faith. Google and the subcontractor, Cognizant, disputed the workers' account, stating that the contract had simply reached its natural expiration and that the workers were not laid off. The union maintains that the workers, based in Austin, were paid low wages and had minimal benefits, and that Google's refusal to bargain with them has been deemed unlawful by the National Labor Relations Board.
Google Contractors Laid Off During City Council Testimony
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Fortune
Unionized YouTube Music workers, in the midst of testifying before the Austin City Council about the need for higher pay and better benefits, were shocked to learn that they had been laid off by Google. The layoff came amid a year-long fight for better working conditions, with the National Labor Relations Board ruling that Google and its subcontractor, Cognizant, are joint employers of the workers. Google's refusal to negotiate with the unionized workers has been deemed illegal, and the company claims the layoff was a routine end of contract agreed upon with Cognizant. The affected workers, however, were caught off guard and are now facing financial uncertainty.