All articles tagged with #labor protections
Virginia's Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger has appointed Jessica Looman, a former Biden labor official, as the state's next labor secretary, where she will oversee workforce programs and advise on labor issues, emphasizing worker protections and economic opportunity.
A federal appeals court allowed President Trump to proceed with an order ending collective bargaining rights for many federal workers, citing national security concerns, while the case continues in court. The unions representing over a million federal employees argue the order is retaliatory, but the court emphasized the president's focus on national security as justification.
Workers at General Motors' electric vehicle battery plants will be covered by the company's national contract with the United Auto Workers (UAW), ensuring labor protections and setting a precedent for the rest of the automotive industry. The victory comes as part of the UAW's ongoing strike against major US automakers and signifies a step towards a "just transition" for autoworkers in the EV sector. The agreement will safeguard workers at current and future battery plants, including joint ventures, as General Motors transitions away from fossil fuel-powered vehicles. This win could also inspire unionization efforts among other EV workers, such as those at Tesla, and potentially improve conditions in other sectors of the green economy.
Gig nursing apps like Clipboard and ShiftKey have gained popularity among nurses and investors as the healthcare industry faces a shortage of nurses. However, concerns have been raised about the impact of these apps on patient care and nurse well-being. Nurses working through these apps often face issues such as inconsistent training, lack of familiarity with patients, and limited recourse for complaints. The gig structure also degrades the bonds between patients and nurses, potentially compromising patient safety. Critics argue that proper training and staffing practices are essential for patient outcomes, and classifying nurses as contractors limits their ability to demand better working conditions and hold companies accountable.
Several states in the United States are considering or have already passed bills to lower the minimum age for serving alcohol, as the restaurant industry faces challenges in hiring workers. However, labor experts warn that this rollback of child labor protection laws puts teenagers at risk of sexual harassment, underage drinking, and other harms. The restaurant industry already has the highest number of child labor law violations. Efforts to loosen child labor protections have been seen in multiple states in recent years, leading to an increase in child labor violations.
Farmworkers and outdoor workers in South Florida are demanding the implementation of a municipal heat standard that would provide access to drinking water, shade, and breaks on the job. The effort, led by labor organization WeCount!, has gained urgency as the region experiences a historic heatwave. At least one farmworker has already died from heat-related causes this year. The Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners passed the first reading of an ordinance to create the heat standard, which would also include a heat exposure safety program, employee rights notices, and the establishment of a county Office of Workplace Health and Safety. The federal government has been slow to draft heat safety rules, making the Miami ordinance potentially the first of its kind in the United States.
New York City has mandated a minimum wage of $19.96 per hour for app-based delivery workers, with plans to fully implement the new standard by April 1, 2025. The mandate, which took effect Monday, will start at $17.96 per hour, increase to the standard by the 2025 deadline and adjust annually for inflation. The move is a significant shift in how popular platforms like Uber, Grubhub and DoorDash pay gig workers, who have been considered independent contractors, excluded from labor protections and exempt from minimum wage requirements.
Tesla violated federal labor protections by instructing employees not to discuss wages and other employment matters, according to a judge's ruling. The company was also found to have committed unfair labor practices by prohibiting employees from bringing grievances to higher-level managers. The National Labor Relations Board ordered Tesla to cease such actions and notify employees of the violation.
The Foundation for Government Accountability, a conservative advocacy group, has been drafting state legislation to strip child workplace protections, gaining traction among Republicans to relax regulations that prevent children from working long hours in dangerous conditions. The group has found success in several states, including Arkansas, where a new law eliminates work permits and age verification for workers younger than 16. The Biden administration has announced a crackdown on child labor violators, calling the proposed state child labor laws "irresponsible." Critics argue that the FGA's bills endanger children on the job and entice others to leave school to join the workforce.
US tech companies like Google and Amazon are struggling to lay off workers in Europe due to labor protections that make it difficult to dismiss people without prior consultations with employee interest groups. In France and Germany, where labor laws are among the strongest in the EU, Google is currently in negotiations with works councils, while Amazon has offered senior managers up to a year's pay to resign. Meanwhile, in the UK, where labor protections are not as stringent, an estimated 500 out of 8,000 Googlers will have to leave.
US tech companies like Google and Amazon are struggling to lay off workers in Europe due to labor protections that make it difficult to dismiss people without prior consultations with employee interest groups. In France and Germany, where labor laws are among the strongest in the EU, Google is currently in negotiations with works councils, while Amazon has offered senior managers up to a year's pay to resign. Meanwhile, in the UK, where labor protections are not as stringent, an estimated 500 out of 8,000 Googlers will have to leave.
US big tech companies are struggling to reduce headcount in Europe due to labor protections that make it virtually impossible to dismiss people in some countries without prior consultations with employee interest groups. In France, Alphabet is in talks to reduce headcount through voluntary departures, while in Germany and France, Google is currently in negotiations with works councils. Meanwhile, in the UK, where labor protections are not as stringent, an estimated 500 out of 8,000 Googlers will have to leave.
Minor league baseball players and the MLB have reached a historic first contract that will more than double player pay at every level and pay players for most of the offseason and spring training. The deal mandates a number of policies that were not previously codified for players, including increased pay, decent housing and transportation, and full name, image, and likeness rights. The agreement could be ratified by the players and owners as early as Friday and represents a milestone in minor leaguers' fight for basic labor protections.