On Wednesday, the Supreme Court decided that a California law allowing unions to talk to agricultural workers on farm property is unconstitutional. The ruling is a major blow to union organizers and migratory farmworkers. In 1975, the California Agricultural Labor Relations Act was passed to remedy the difficulty unions frequently faced reaching migrant workers, […]
Meatpacking Facilities Forced Open by Trump Executive Order, Endangering Workers
Late on Tuesday, April 28, President Trump issued an executive order forcing meat processing plants to stay open despite the severe public health risk involved in operating as usual under the coronavirus outbreak. In states across the country, meat plants have become hot spots for the virus, with at least 20 known deaths and more […]
Farmworker Women Awarded $17 Million in Sexual Harassment Suit
In a landmark victory, a federal jury unanimously decided to award a $17 million settlement to five women farmworkers who were subjected to sexual harassment and intimidation.
Appeals Court Rules in Favor of Overtime, Minimum Wage for Home-Care Workers
Home care workers have protections for minimum wage and overtime pay, a federal appeals court decided on Friday.
Wisconsin Workers Just Lost Their Days Off
Scott Walker signed off on a new budget last week that ended the state’s law banning seven-day work weeks.
New York Politicians, Advocates, and Activists Have Come Together to Protect Nail Salon Workers
Following a report by the New York Times on the exploitation of nail salon workers almost two weeks ago, New York state and city officials have partnered with advocates and volunteers to bring comprehensive educational programs and labor reforms to the 5,000 licensed salons in the state.
Los Angeles May Be The Next City to Raise The Minimum Wage to $15
The Los Angeles City Council voted 14 to 1 on Tuesday to have the City Attorney draft an ordinance that would raise the minimum wage for certain workers to $10.50 an hour effective July 2016, and then gradually to $15 an hour by 2020.
Facebook Just Improved Wages and Benefits for Contracted Employees
Facebook Incorporated Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg announced today that the social media powerhouse will be requiring improved benefits from its contractors, including higher pay, paid leave, and a $4,000 new child benefit.
Governor Cuomo Issues Emergency Orders to Protect Nail Salon Workers
Cuomo’s actions fall in the wake of a New York Times exposé on the lives of manicurists in New York City detailing 10- to 12-hour shifts, poor conditions, health risks, low wages, and other exploitation.
Supreme Court Ruling May Reduce Power of Unions
The Supreme Court ruled Monday that certain public sector employees who benefit from a labor union’s representation will no longer have to pay union fees.
Thousands March in North Carolina Against Restrictive GOP Policies
Around 80,000 to 100,000 people from 32 states marched in Raleigh, North Carolina on Saturday to protest the state’s GOP-led legislature’s extremist attacks on human and voting rights and vital public assistance programs.
Local Pregnancy Discrimination Laws Go Into Effect While PWFA Remains Stalled in Congress
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, currently stalled in both chambers of Congress, would require every employer in the nation to provide the same accommodations and protections to their employees.
Fast Food Workers Continue Strikes In Largest Action Yet
This will be the largest action yet in the recent history of the fast food labor movement, with actions in 200 cities. Protesters are calling for $15 an hour wages, almost double the current federal minimum wage of $7.25.
35th Anniversary of the PDA Calls for Celebration, Improvements
Protections for pregnant workers are vitally important.
New York Women Rally for Pregnancy Discrimination Protections
Currently only a handful of states provide protections for pregnant workers.
Judge Declares Indiana’s Anti-Labor Law Unconstitutional
Indiana state Superior Court judge John Sedia recently ruled that Indiana’s “right-to-work” law is unconstitutional.
Fast Food Workers Demand Living Wage
Fast food workers across the country have taken to the streets this week protesting for higher wages. Protests started in New York City and took off in major cities across the country with workers demanding a living wage of $15 per hour as opposed the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour.
Walmart Tries to Block Worker’s Rights Protesters
Last Thursday, Wal-Mart filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board to block Organization United for Respect at Walmart (OUR Walmart) protesters from picketing outside of stores on Black Friday. Walmart claims that OUR Walmart actions planned for Friday are part of continuing protests by United Food and Commercial Workers Union (U.F.C.W) and would […]
The Chicago Teachers’ Strike: Fighting for the Schools Our Students Deserve
UPDATE – Wednesday, September 19: The Chicago Teachers Union voted yesterday to end their strike and agreed today to a tentative offer put forward by the city of Chicago. The agreement includes, among other things, an increase in pay for teachers, shorter school days, increased funding for music, art, and physical education classes as well […]
NYC Speaker Quinn: Working Women Need Paid Sick Days!
Christine Quinn is the first female and openly gay New York City Council Speaker. By speaking out and standing up for the rights of women and queer folks throughout the city, she has received a lot of support from the feminist community as Speaker and as potential NYC mayor. But on a new issue facing […]