Here are five things that caught my eye last week:
Apple’s First Labor Contract: Workers at their Towson, MD store got their first labor contract. You have to wonder how excited the new members will be about getting to pay dues for 3% wage increases and a “bump” in starting wages, which is less than nearly every non-union worker in America has gotten in the last few years.
Another NLRB Constitutionality Argument: The Portillo’s restaurant chain in Chicago (which makes a mean Italian Beef) added its name to the long line of employers questioning the NLRB’s constitutionality. I think there’s a good chance that one Circuit Court (probably the 5th Circuit, but Portillo’s is in the 7th) will find the NLRB unconstitutionally seated sometime this year.
JD Vance’s Labor Positions: Jim Plunkett has a great breakdown of the new Republican VP’s positions on labor issues, including being in favor of sectoral bargaining.
A Hearing for McFerran: There was some question about whether Lauren McFerran’s renomination to the NLRB would be considered before the August recess. It now appears that it will be considered on August 1. Her renomination is controversial. She will be considered at the same time as Republican nominee Joshua Dietelberg, who honestly should be considered separately since he should have been paired with the Gwynne Wilcox nomination months ago.
Looking ahead: I’m really looking forward to this movie after finally visiting this museum.
