Posts tagged workers
Trump Just Saved Thousands of Disabled Americans’ Jobs
August 5, 2025 // Disability-rights advocates have long insisted that, as a matter of public policy, disabled people’s lives should resemble those of nondisabled people to the greatest extent possible. They have argued, for example, that “segregated” environments, which primarily or exclusively serve disabled people, violate the principle of normalization and ought to be abolished. And for decades, they have called for the repeal of Section 14(c), a provision of the Federal Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938 that allows certified employers to pay disabled workers a subminimum wage commensurate with their productivity. Congress created the 14(c) program to enable people with severe disabilities to remain in the job market after the passage of the federal minimum wage. The Biden administration published a proposed rule in 2024 that would have phased out the program, claiming that it was “no longer necessary to prevent curtailment of employment opportunities.” But last month, the Trump administration announced it was withdrawing the proposal. In doing so, it preserved the jobs of thousands of severely disabled Americans who would have lost one of the staples of a “normal” life.
Thousands of Denver-area King Soopers grocery store workers go on strike
February 6, 2025 // UFCW Local 7 members voted by 96% last week to authorize the unfair labor practices strike. King Soopers, a chain owned by Kroger, with 121 stores in Colorado and Wyoming, has been negotiating a new contract since October. The current contract expired in January.
Fearing AI will take their jobs, California workers plan a long battle against tech
January 19, 2025 // More than 200 trade union members and technologists gathered in Sacramento this week at a first-of-its-kind conference to discuss how AI and other tech threatens workers and to strategize for upcoming fights and possible strikes. The Making Tech Work for Workers event was convened by University of California labor centers, unions, and worker advocates and attracted people representing dock workers, home care workers, teachers, nurses, actors, state office workers, and many other occupations.
‘We’re making history’: Salt Lake library workers reach key step in effort to unionize
December 18, 2024 // They also noted that they were essentially the last remaining city department not unionized, as most city employees are members of either the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, or part of police or firefighter unions. Yet, it took nearly 20 months to reach Monday's vote because of hurdles that union leaders didn't expect when the process started. Brad Asay, vice president of the Utah AFL-CIO, which has helped employees seek unionization, said the effort was complicated because of Salt Lake City's unique structure. The city's library system is independently governed, but its budget is approved by the City Council every year.
Union workers end strike at Thombert after new contract is signed
October 31, 2023 // When picketing first began, workers were frustrated Thombert, Inc. had grown “leaps and bounds,” but their paychecks did not reflect that. Others argued the initial offer from management was an “insult” and “ridiculous.” Later that month, union groups from across the state joined Thombert employees on strike outside the company’s Newton factory. Charlie Wishman, president of the Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, advocated for fair contracts. “We are here to show support and solidarity to let them know they’re not alone,” he said. “You’ve got people from every single different kind of union out here right now, the trades, private sector, the public sector.
BREAKING: Thousands of UAW Academic Union Workers Across UC Campuses Vote to Authorize Strike
November 4, 2022 // The United Auto Workers 2865 announced today, Thursday, Nov. 3, that 98% of UAW-represented workers voted to authorize a multi-unit strike by UAW bargaining teams in their negotiations for living wages with the University of California. A strike could occur as early as Nov. 14, depending on the circumstances of negotiations. During this strike, academic workers would not perform their required duties and instead take part in picket lines across UC campuses.
Employee Rights Act Would Protect Hardworking Latinos & Expand Freedom for All American Workers
May 9, 2022 // The LIBRE Initiative supports the ERA and its efforts at protecting American workers from anti-choice legislation like the PRO Act and ensuring that they have the flexibility to succeed in today’s rapidly evolving economy.
President Biden Sides Against Union Rank-and-File
April 18, 2022 // Of course, siding against workers is not the best look politically. Neither is shutting down transparency. The Biden Administration understandably rolled back the transparency regulation very quietly. Biden’s Labor Department killed the rule without fanfare on December 30 — the day before the New Year’s Eve holiday, when most union members and the press enjoyed Christmas vacations.
With campaign workers unionizing more often, former staffers recall effort on Pete Buttigieg campaign
March 9, 2022 // Cedar Rapids-based International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 238 Secretary-Treasurer Jesse Case, who is currently helping to organize members of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said the labor movement is pressuring candidates to improve the lives of their workers. Otherwise, he said, those candidates risk losing the union vote.
Opinion: When the Feds Won’t Protect Workers, Tennessee Leaders Should Step Up
February 17, 2022 // The Department of Labor has made a bold move to sweep union corruption under the rug. And unless state leaders step in, Tennessee workers may pay the price.