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What I’ve Been Reading This Week


Coronavirus testing, minimum wage hikes, and union elections…talk about quite the range of topics this week.  I encourage readers to take a look at all three topics but will call attention to the Zoom discussion happening in a few hours in regard to coronavirus testing for large scale employers.  That one is well worth joining if you have some spare time today.

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



Today at noon EST, there is a Zoom discussion being held buy several employment law attorneys in which they are talking about the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (“OSHA”) and their recent requirement that large scale employers either require their employees be vaccinated or tested weekly.  Readers will recall that this has been an evolving story but I encourage those looking for more information on the matter to join the Zoom discussion in a few hours.



As we are about a year out from next November’s election, minimum wage advocates in Nebraska have started a petition to try and get a minimum wage measure on the ballot in 2022.  Nebraska’s current hourly minimum wage rate is $9/hour.  This proposed minimum wage hike that could be in front of voters next year would raise the hourly minimum wage rate by $1.50 every year and eventually top out at $15/hour in 2026.  Whether this petition (and possible approval by voters) is not assured, a prior petition and vote in 2017 was successful.  Keep an eye on this one.



Readers might recall that unionization efforts are underway at several Buffalo area Starbucks.  This is somewhat of an unprecedented move as Starbucks has been relatively successful preventing unionization at its stores.  However, this week, votes have begun to be mailed to eligible employees to vote with an expectation that votes will be counted on December 8th.  It should come as no surprise that Starbucks is intent to beat back this unionization effort.  Whether they will again be successful remains to be seen.

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