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News Article ● Labor Unions

Deputy union sues over investigation into Sheriff’s Department gangs, order to show tattoos

May 23, 2023 // The Sheriff’s Department has long faced allegations about secretive deputy groups running amok in certain stations and jails, controlling command staff and promoting a culture of violence. A Loyola Marymount University report released in 2021 identified 18 such groups that have existed over the last five decades, including the Executioners and the Banditos.

News Article ● Corruption Labor Unions

Michigan Democrats want to make it easier to give to unions (who give to Dems)

May 24, 2023 // Democrats-backed legislation would allow unions to collect political contributions from members via payroll deduction The legislation would reverse restrictions put in place by Republicans Unions typically donate to Democrats and have given big to the party since it took control of Lansing this year. Public resources — such as fees associated with administering the deduction program — would also be allowed to be used for payroll deductions as long as unions reimburse the costs. Employers are already allowed to deduct income tax withholdings, Social Security, overpayments and more from employees’ wages and benefits under federal and state law. They can also deduct payments for health benefits and charitable donations with employee consent.

News Article ● Labor Unionization Unions

Starbucks Union Demands Company Bargain A National Contract

May 24, 2023 // The company's insistence on separate contracts for more than 300 organized stores has made the process unworkable, union president says. Fox said Starbucks should agree to a broad contract that sets a national minimum wage, “fair scheduling” procedures, guaranteed minimum hours and an agreement for union elections moving forward, among other provisions. Regions and individual stores could then add supplemental agreements if they choose to. But Starbucks said Workers United should stick to negotiating individual contracts since the union has been organizing stores one by one.

News Article Research ●

Stymied Su Nomination Mirrors Slack Labor Department Rulemaking

May 24, 2023 // “By freezing your regulatory agenda, you are in essence avoiding the embarrassment or the explanation of something you might do that is controversial and could have a negative impact on your nomination,” said Patrick Pizzella, a former deputy secretary of labor

Op-ed Research ● Labor Strike Unions

Frank Ricci: CT legislators want unemployment for striking workers

May 25, 2023 // S.B. 938 would upend this balance by forcing businesses to fund striking workers through unemployment. It thereby puts a thumb on the scale in labor’s favor, in a way that no other New England state does — nor do 49 other states, leaving New York as the lone exception. The consequence would be to apply severe financial pressure on employers — both by increasing the duration of strikes and by tapping unemployment, which is a self-contained system paid for by employers and administered by the state. One Stop & Shop worker testified in 2022 that a previous bill with identical requirements was designed to increase employee “leverage” and admitted, “Had we had unemployment benefits to rely on during the 2019 strike, we might’ve been able to stay out longer. The bill places no restriction on union strike funds, however, so striking workers may collect funds from the unions as well. The result? Workers could be paid more to go and stay on strike than they would have made working — this will incentivize labor unrest.

Blog ● Labor Unions

Teachers unions demand housing, transportation and other student supports during negotiations

May 26, 2023 // Teachers unions in school districts across the country are demanding improved salaries, benefits and class sizes when it’s time to renew their contracts. They are also leveraging negotiations to benefit school employees, students and their families. This process, known as bargaining in the common good, has been used to gain agreements on a host of items, such as housing assistance for low-income students, updating antiquated school facilities and increasing the number of psychologists, social workers and nurses on campuses.

Featured Research

Op-ed Research ● Labor Strike Unions

Frank Ricci

Yankee Institute for Public Policy

Frank Ricci: CT legislators want unemployment for striking workers

Op-ed Research ● Labor

Gabriella Hoffman

Reclassifiying Rhode Island’s independent workforce could cost the state millions

News Article Research ●

Rebecca Rainey, Diego Areas Munhoz

Stymied Su Nomination Mirrors Slack Labor Department Rulemaking

Research ●

EMMA CAMP

Reason

Randi Weingarten Only Taught for 3 Years. She’s Getting 15 Years of Public Pension Anyway.

News Article Research ● Labor Unionization Unions

Juliette Fairley

Florida: State officials sued by education unions over SB 256

News Article Research ● Labor Unionization Unions

California Governor Confirms Unionization of Agricultural Employees Through “Card Check” Process: Your Top 3 Takeaways

News Article Research ● Labor Unionization Unions

Anni Irish

Changing institutional culture from the inside out: why more and more US museum workers are forming unions

Press Release Research ● Labor

U.S. Independent Professionals Earned $286 Billion in 2022, a Nearly 10% Increase Compared to 2021, According to Fiverr’s Sixth Annual Freelance Economic Impact Report

Op-ed Research ● Labor Unionization Unions

Clarisa Diaz

US union membership is at its lowest level since the Great Depression