Posts tagged exemption
New lawsuit scrutinizes Hegseth’s implementation of Trump’s anti-union EO
July 30, 2025 // While previous lawsuits argued simply that President Trump’s citation of the 1978 Civil Service Reform Act’s so-called “national security exemption” en masse violated federal regulatory law, a new suit from IFPTE drills down on the Defense secretary’s implementation of the controversial edict.
Op-ed–Kim Kavin: ‘Please Don’t Destroy My Career’
July 2, 2025 // The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors did a survey of its members during our shared battle in Congress over a federal freelance-busting bill, and found an unbelievably high desire to remain independent contractors. That survey found: Approximately 90% of NAIFA members receive income reported on an IRS form 1099 94% do not want to be treated as an employee for union organizing 95% operating as independent contractors wish to remain so
Farmworkers call for changes to improve their lives
April 7, 2025 // If all legislators are genuinely interested in supporting people living and working in Washington state, then these interviews should serve as a gut check. All six of the men interviewed indicated a desire to see a significant change in how their workweeks are measured and compensated. Not from their employers but from lawmakers. Guillermo, 62, perhaps summed up the words of his colleagues best: “I think people would be surprised to know that I’ve dedicated my life to working and trying to do good deeds,” he said. “We come here with the mentality that we want to work 50 plus hours per week.”
“Warehouse Worker Protection Act” Reintroduced with Bipartisan Support
October 2, 2024 // The bill imposes restrictions on employers’ use of productivity quotas to measure workers’ performance or output and includes substantial notice requirements to workers on the use of such quotas, discipline for failing to meet the quotas, and workers’ rights under the act, among other things. It mandates breaks for covered workers and recordkeeping obligations for employers. The WWPA also requires the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to issue two new rulemakings and creates a new category of unfair labor practices under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). It also expands the federal bureaucracy by creating a Quota Task Force as well as the Fairness and Transparency Office within the Department of Labor. This legislation is a thinly-veiled attack on large companies like Amazon that the Democratic Party and labor organizations do not support. The original sponsors of the WWPA were Senators Markey, Bob Casey (D-PA), and Tina Smith (D-MN). The cosponsors now include Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Laphonza Butler (D-CA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Hawley, Alex Padilla (D-CA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Peter Welch (D-VT).
California legislators seek corruption law exemptions for unions, developers
May 7, 2024 // In California, the three largest donor types by sector are organized labor, including public sector unions representing state and local government employees, real estate, including developers seeking permits or regulatory changes, and healthcare, which includes healthcare providers and healthcare worker unions with lucrative government contracts. By exempting unions and most real estate, the new bill would allow unions representing government employees or workers with government contracts to donate to candidates who will support paying them more, and developers to more transparently donate to politicians who will approve their projects; while businesses and unions typically oppose each other on legislation, their shared interest in maintaining political access have created an unusual alliance.
Commentary: JOHN STOSSEL: Unions Wanted To Help Freelance Workers. Now They Lost Their Jobs
April 17, 2024 // Vox called the law “a big win for workers everywhere.” Ha! A few months later, Vox media layed off hundreds of freelancers. “They expected that all these companies were going to reclassify independent contractors as employees,” freelance musician Ari Herstand told me. “In reality, they’re just letting them go!” Herstand was dismayed to learn that when he wants other musicians to join him, he could no longer just write them a check. “I have to put that drummer on payroll, W2 him, get workers’ comp insurance, unemployment insurance, payroll taxes!” he complains. “I have to hire a payroll company.”