Skip to main content

What I've Been Reading This Week


It was difficult to narrow things down this week and pick just a few articles to highlight.  With that being said, the article that touched on the NLRB's joint employer standard decision from last year was well thought out and certainly worth a read (even for those who do not follow NLRB/labor law developments).

As always, below are a couple articles that caught my eye this week.


Minnesota Supreme Court Blocks $15/Hour Minimum Wage Ballot Measure

Last week, I had pointed out to readers that the Minnesota Supreme Court would hear arguments this week on whether to allow a $15/hour minimum wage ballot measure would appear on the November ballot.  The Supreme Court issued a unanimous order the day after it heard the case and held that the ballot measure would not appear on the November ballot.  The Supreme Court agreed with the city of Minneapolis and held that the proposal to raise the minimum wage rate in the city was not a proper subject for an amendment to the city's charter (as proponents of the $15/hour minimum wage had argued).  I certainly do not think this is the end of the matter.  But for the time being, minimum wage rates in Minneapolis are not going up.


29 Major Companies Back White House Equal Pay Pledge

To date, 29 major companies including FaceBook, Apple, General Motors, and Nike (among others) have signed a pledge to back the White House equal pay measure announced earlier this year.  According to the pledge, these companies are committed to equal pay among its workers, conducting an annual analysis of its pay, and monitoring its hiring/promotion procedures to reduce bias.  Fascinating read to see how some of these major companies have come on board with the continued push for equal pay in the workplace.



Readers might remember an NLRB ruling from last year in which the Board expanded the instances in which one employer is liable for another employer's labor law violations.  In its decision, the Board held that joint employer liability may be established where one company exercises indirect or unexercised potential control.  Trey Kovacs over at The Hill writes that Congress should take immediate steps to reverse the Board's decision.  It is a well written article...but in an election year (and when many Republicans are up for re-election), I would be surprised if there is any substantial movement for the time being.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

NLRB: Discussion Among Employees About Tip Pooling is Protected Concerted Activity

  This Advice Memorandum from the National Labor Relations Board’s Associate General Counsel, Jayme Sophir, addressed whether employees which discussed and complained about tip pooling at work constituted protected concerted activity. In relevant part, an employer in New York operated a chain of steakhouses.  While tip pooling was in place at these steakhouses, some of the employees objected to it on the grounds that it was not transparent and improperly divided tips among the workers.  Employees were told not to complain or talk to each other about the tip pool and were told that doing so would endanger their jobs.  Despite the employer later attempting to provide some clarity as to how the tips were being divided, rancor still existed among some employees.  At one point, the employees were told by a general manager that some employees that had been talking about the tip pool were “cleared out” and the employer would continue to do so. In the Advice Memorandum,...
Post a Comment
Read more

Breaking: Labor Secretary Rumored to Be Leaving Administration

A few hours ago, word leaked out that Labor Secretary Marty Walsh (“Walsh”) is in the midst of negotiations to head up the NHL Players Union and leave his position at the Labor Department. Walsh, who has served as the sole Labor Secretary under President Biden, has taken part in a labor renaissance of sorts as support for organized labor has increased during his term as Labor Secretary (although the number of workers that have joined a union over the past two years has not grown as mush as some expected.)  He has also overseen the ongoing negotiations with rail workers over a new contract, although that matter is still on shaky ground and playing out as we speak. As for who might step into the vacant Labor Secretary role, there are already rumblings that President Biden should nominate Deputy Labor Secretary Julie Su (a strong labor advocate) or even a progressive like Senator Bernie Sanders.  Until Walsh officially gives his notice, however, I would expect some/many potential...
Post a Comment
Read more

San Diego Rolls Back Vaccine Mandate For City Workers

Last Tuesday, the San Diego City Council voted to do away with the vaccine mandate for city employees. The city’s vaccine mandate that was in place required city workers to get the coronavirus vaccine or risk termination.  Perhaps to this surprise of no one, the city’s policy came under fire with 14 employees being terminated and over 100 other employees resigning.  With the coronavirus subsiding, including in Southern California, the San Diego City Council took action. Now, bear in mind, the repeal of the vaccine mandate does not take place immediately. With that being said, the mandate will be repealed March 8th.  I suppose the question now is, what other cities or regions follow San Diego’s lead? For additional information:   https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/politics/story/2023-01-24/san-diego-repeals-controversial-covid-19-vaccine-mandate-citing-drop-in-cases-hospitalizations
Post a Comment
Read more