Work Reform

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/41398117

Paywall removed https://archive.is/jAmlO

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the top US labor watchdog, is tasked with protecting workers’ rights, overseeing the labor movement and ruling on disputes between employers and unions.

Its five-seat board, which hears disputes and oversees union elections, requires at least three members to issue a ruling. But days after regaining power, Trump fired Gwynne Wilcox – an unprecedented decision – from the board, leaving it without this crucial quorum to make decisions.

“The Trump administration thus far seems to have been treating the agency with this kind of combination of hostility and aggressive neglect,” said Lauren McFerran, who served as chair of the NLRB under Joe Biden.

Four current rank-and-file workers spoke to the Guardian. Each requested anonymity, fearing retaliation.

“The NLRB’s employees just want to do our jobs and be treated with respect,” said one official. “But from day one, this administration has crippled the agency, and treated us as enemies.”

The National Labor Relations Act, enacted in 1935 to federally protect workers’ rights to organize and engage in collective bargaining, now exists “on paper only”, the official claimed.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/14/labor-movement-union-trump-nlrb

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah has repealed a collective bargaining ban passed earlier this year that prevented labor unions serving teachers, firefighters, police and other public employees from negotiating on behalf of their workers.

Republican Gov. Spencer Cox on Thursday approved the repeal of a policy that experts had called one of the most restrictive labor laws

Employees at Doom studio id Software have voted in favour of union representation with the Communications Workers of America (CWA), which has been recognised by Microsoft.

The decision follows QA workers becoming the first group at Microsoft to form a union with CWA representation back in 2023. It means id Software is now a wall-to-wall union, including developers, artists, programmers, and more.

Paywall removed: https://archive.is/14Rau

Meet Ohio Senator Tim Schaffer

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Schaffer

This guy introduced a bill allowing employers to make 14 year olds work until 9 p.m. year-round, even during the school year, while paying them less than minimum wage.

The Ohio governor just vetoed his bill:

https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/briefs/ohio-gov-mike-dewine-vetoes-bill-that-would-have-let-14-15-year-olds-work-till-9-p-m-year-round/

But Senator Tim Schaffer says he is not giving up:

https://www.cleveland.com/open/2025/12/sponsor-of-teen-labor-bill-dewine-vetoed-wants-to-negotiate-with-governor-over-concerns.html

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.dbzer0.com/post/58914591

While the UAW does not specify a specific minimum wage, its letter notes that addressing wage suppression in Mexico would disincentivize offshoring and create “billions of dollars in new working-class purchasing power,” which could help jump-start demand for vehicles in Mexico.

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