Posts tagged technology
Companies are abandoning ‘peanut butter’ raises as pay-for-performance takes over the workplace in the AI era
May 11, 2026 // This disparity between employees challenges the idea behind “peanut butter raises,” which aim to address some of the criticisms with merit raises, namely, that they are subjective and bias-prone, according to Payscale’s report. While across-the-board raises may seem equal on the surface, high performers or AI super users may not see it that way, said Hannah Yardley, the chief people and culture officer at Achievers, a software company that tracks employee recognition and offers rewards.
States Lead the Way on Portable Benefits and Flexible Work
March 24, 2026 // The momentum behind portable benefits reflects the strength of a growing network of organizations and leaders committed to modernizing workforce policy. Americans for Prosperity has worked in conjunction with a diverse range of state and national organizations including the Mercatus Center, Libertas Institute, Institute for the American Worker, Independent Women, R Street Institute, and more from state to state. With research, data, examples of those who would benefit, and a dose of optimism, the educational outreach to highlight how beneficial these reforms are to American families has created a surge of interest among state lawmakers who increasingly understand this golden opportunity to help their residents thrive in today’s economy including shifts due to the rise of AI and other technology.
Commentary: Back to the Dark Ages? Unions Push Bills to Slow Workplace Technology
March 10, 2026 // In practice, introducing AI in unionized workplaces could require union approval. The bill also requires companies to hire a state-approved auditor to test AI systems for bias before deployment. If disparate impact is found, the system cannot be used until the Labor Commissioner signs off on corrective measures. Businesses would effectively need a government permission slip to deploy their own software. The legislation goes even further by limiting how state agencies may use artificial intelligence, requiring legislative authorization before purchasing or deploying many AI systems. Rather than encouraging innovation, the default posture treats AI as suspect unless expressly approved. At the same time, Senate Bill 438 would regulate self-checkout machines in grocery stores.
Op-ed: When taxpayers incentivize jobs, the state should protect workers’ privacy in union votes
February 26, 2026 // Now, Rankin County Republican State Sen. Josh Harkins, who chairs the Senate Finance Committee, has introduced legislation to protect the investments of state and local taxpayers in economic development projects that rely on taxpayer incentives. The bill ensures that Mississippi workers are entitled to a private ballot for any unionization vote. In a recent op-ed, Harkins explained: “Senate Bill 2202 is straightforward: for companies that choose to accept future state economic development incentives, any decision about union representation should be made through a private, secret-ballot election. The bill does not prohibit employees from organizing. It does not outlaw unions. It does not interfere with an employee’s right to choose union representation if a majority wants it. It simply sets an expectation that the decision is made in a way that protects (worker) privacy.”
UPS Is the Symptom, Not the Disease: How Labor Policy Shapes Long-Run Worker Outcomes
February 18, 2026 // The question, then, is not whether the gains are real, but how the trade-offs unfold. Why do headline-grabbing contracts so often coincide with downsizing, automation, and job losses in sectors governed by exclusive, monopoly bargaining arrangements? When short-run wage gains are secured through monopoly bargaining power, where do the adjustments occur—and who ultimately bears the costs?
Commentary: California’s Fast-Food Minimum Wage Hike Is Killing Jobs
November 13, 2025 // "On April 1, 2024, California raised its minimum wage from $16 to $20 per hour for fast-food workers employed at chains with more than 60 locations nationwide," Jeffrey Clemens, Olivia Edwards, and Jonathan Meer write in a National Bureau of Economic Research working paper that was first addressed by Reason's Peter Suderman in the November print issue. "Our median estimate suggests that California lost about 18,000 jobs that could have been retained if AB 1228 had not been passed."
Employers Gain Additional Defenses In Union Salting And Deferral Cases Thanks to New Guidance from NLRB Official
August 27, 2025 // Under the AGC’s July 24 guidance, employees (or unions) filing charges must present evidence that the salt is “genuinely interested” in working for the employer. While the Board will independently evaluate this element, it will analyze evidence from the employer of the circumstances surrounding: the contents and completeness of the salt’s application; the applicant’s behavior and conduct during interviews; and the applicant’s previous refusal of similar employment.
Editorial: Unionizing Uber and Lyft drivers may speed up their robotic replacement
July 2, 2025 // Here’s the issue for drivers. Labor talks are playing out as Uber and its competitors are investing heavily in driverless vehicles, just like Tesla. Uber isn’t hiding that future. Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi even told The Wall Street Journal this year he expects AVs to gradually overtake human drivers.
Fenway, MGM concession workers vote to authorize strike
June 17, 2025 // "Boston is a union town, and it's time to bring all Fenway workers' wages up to standard," said Carlos Aramayo, president of UNITE HERE Local 26, which represents the Fenway workers. "Local 26 hotel workers fought for, and won, $10-an-hour raises last year, and Local 26 university dining workers will be making a minimum of $30 an hour by 2028. There's no reason for Fenway workers to be left behind. They deserve raises and respect!"
The Strip Is Now Completely Unionized Thanks to a New Agreement at Fontainebleau Las Vegas
March 13, 2025 // For the first time in its 90-year history, every casino resort on the Strip is unionized