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What I’ve Been Reading This Week


Union elections during the coronavirus pandemic have been somewhat of a hot button issue for some.  While I wanted to highlight a couple good articles this week, an article from Politico on mounting pressure to move union elections to an online only format is one particular article well worth a deep dive. 

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



Eleanor Mueller at Politico wrote a good article yesterday evening in which she noted that both Democrats and labor unions have started to increase their calls for union elections to be conducted online rather than in person.  It should come to no surprise to readers that the National Labor Relations Board has been dealing with how to effectively conduct union elections during the coronavirus pandemic.  While union elections are currently allowed and taking place, Democrats and labor unions have objected on the grounds that in person elections risk the safety of those who show up to vote.  Moving the elections online removes the potential risk to voters, as the argument goes, while still allowing elections to take place.  Critics of this online election procedure are quick to point out that it would be ripe with fraud and potential manipulation.  I refer you to Mueller’s article for more information on the matter.


$15/Hour Minimum Wage Rate Expected to See Another Push

With the upcoming Presidential election in a few months, there is widespread speculation that there will soon be another push to increase the federal minimum wage rate to $15/hour.  Melissa Repko at CNBC recently wrote that with presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden voicing his support for the higher hourly wage rate and some members of Congress expecting tough fights to hold (or gain) Congressional seats, voters might see a candidate’s support (or lack thereof) as a key point on how to vote in November.  With many employers having adopted an increase in pay rates for some employees during the coronavirus pandemic, now might be the time to strike while a growing portion of the (voting) public seems to find higher wage rates to be more palatable.  

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