Skip to main content

What I’ve Been Reading This Week


Perhaps this could of been an Amazon dedicated post if not for the first article I highlighted   With that being said, all three articles are worth a read and provide a few different topics were noting.  Whether readers are interested in union elections or workplace coronavirus policies, I would suggest giving all three articles a read.

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


Seattle City Council Passes Resolution Supporting Unionization Efforts at Starbucks

In a resolution that is really nothing more than a symbolic gesture, the Seattle City Council approved a resolution in which it expressed its support for unionization efforts at three Seattle area Starbucks locations.  The resolution passed last Tuesday 6 - 0 although several Councilmembers did not vote.  There was some disagreement among Councilmembers about what role, if any, the City Council should play in matters such as this which impact private businesses and that was not directly city business.  Given that this resolution has no “teeth” and is merely symbolic, I tend to agree with some that have suggested the City Council would have been better served spending time instead addressing crime, homelessness, and the city’s budget, instead of passing this resolution.


Two U.S. Senators Seek Answers on Second Election at Amazon Warehouse

Readers might recall that workers at an Amazon warehouse in Bessemer, Alabama had previously voted against unionization during a mail in election.  However, after complaints were raised about the first election (namely the argument that Amazon’s decision to set up a mailbox at the workplace to allow workers to drop off their mail in ballots tainted the election), a second election was ordered by the National Labor Relations Board.  In doing so, the second mail in election is currently underway with ballots due no later than March 28th.  However, two U.S. Senators, Tommy Tuberville (from Alabama) and Richard Burr (from North Carolina) have sent a list of questions to the NLRB Regional Director that ordered the second election, seeking to get clarification on the grounds for why the second election was ordered.  With responses to the questions requested back by February 22nd, it will be interesting to see what responses, if any, are provided.


Amazon Amends Coronavirus Related Workplace Policies

In an about face, Amazon announced that effective March 8th, it will no longer provide paid leave for workers that get the coronavirus and need to take time off work, but have not received the coronavirus vaccine.  (Workers that get the coronavirus but have received the vaccine will still qualify for paid leave, however.)  Amazon also announced that starting last Friday, vaccinated workers will no longer be required to wear face masks inside warehouses, so long as local regulations allow.)  I would expect other large scale employers to follow Amazon’s lead and amend their coronavirus related policies in the coming weeks and months.

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

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie Vetoes Minimum Wage Hike

A few months ago, readers might remember that I pointed out that the New Jersey Legislature had voted to approve a minimum wage hike in the state .  Under the approved legislation, the minimum wage rate would rise to $10.10/hour in the next year and at least $15/hour over the next five.  (The current minimum wage rate in the state is $8.38/hour).  In that article, I had noted that the bill was then going to go before Governor Chris Christie for his approval or veto. As I had suggested previously, I thought that the Governor would likely veto the bill based upon his prior actions and comments on similar legislation.  Well, a few days ago, Governor Christie did just that and vetoed the bill on the grounds that it "would trigger an escalation of wages that will make doing business in New Jersey unfathomable."  Pointing to the increase in hourly minimum wage rates, the Governor referred to the bill as a "really radical increase."  (It is interesting to c...
Post a Comment
Read more