POPULARITY
Categories
On Monday, Nov. 24, after more than 1,100 days on strike, Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh members were cheered on by supporters at a rally in downtown Pittsburgh before returning to work at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Even though strikers have returned to work, however, many issues at the center of the strike are still in legal limbo—and their fight for a fair contract is not over. In this episode of Working People, we speak with three Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh members—Bob Batz. Jr, Natalie Duleba, and Steve Mellon—about where things stand now, how their lives have changed since returning to work, and what it takes to hold the picket line for over three years. Additional links/info: Pittsburgh Union Progress website Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh website, Facebook page, and InstagramBob Batz Jr. & Steve Mellon, Pittsburgh Union Progress, “Pittsburgh journalists vote to end country's longest strike and notify the PG they are returning to work”Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh, “Post-Gazette strikers send company return to work offer”Sara Scire, Nieman Lab, “What newsroom organizers learned from the years-long strike at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette”Featured Music: Jules Taylor, Working People Theme SongCredits: Audio Post-Production: Alina Nehlich Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-real-news-podcast--2952221/support.Help us continue producing radically independent news and in-depth analysis by following us and becoming a monthly sustainer.Follow us on:Bluesky: @therealnews.comFacebook: The Real News NetworkTwitter: @TheRealNewsYouTube: @therealnewsInstagram: @therealnewsnetworkBecome a member and join the Supporters Club for The Real News Podcast today!
What do the National Labor Relations Board, Blake Lively's lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, and Lindsey Halligan have in common? They're all swimming in the chaos soup cooked up by a Supreme Court that engages in motivated reasoning and jettisons precedent whenever it gets in the way. Eat up!Links: Richman v. UShttps://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71982634/richman-v-united-states/?order_by=descCorporate Union Busting in Plain Sight, Economic Policy Institute, January 28, 2025https://www.epi.org/publication/corporate-union-busting/Amazon Services LLC v. New York State Public Employment Relations Board (New York Litigation) [docket via CourtListener]https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71421477/amazoncom-services-llc-v-new-york-state-public-employment-relations-board/National Labor Relations Board v. State of California (California Litigaton) [docket via CourtListener]https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71657795/national-labor-relations-board-v-state-of-california/National Trust for Historic Preservation v. National Parks Servicehttps://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72028010/national-trust-for-historic-preservation-in-the-united-states-v-national/List of Trump Clemency Grantshttps://www.justice.gov/pardon/clemency-grants-president-donald-j-trump-2025-presentUS v. Abrego https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70475970/united-states-v-abrego-garcia/?order_by=descAbrego Garcia v. Noem https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71191591/abrego-garcia-v-noemShow Links:https://www.lawandchaospod.com/BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPodThreads: @LawAndChaosPodTwitter: @LawAndChaosPodSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
On today's episode of the America's Work Force Union Podcast, Anna-Marta Visky, Senior Campaign Lead for District 1 of the Communications Workers of America (CWA), joined the podcast to discuss the pressing issue of healthcare affordability for public employees in New Jersey. Andrew Strom, labor lawyer and adjunct professor at Brooklyn Law School, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to warn listeners about the looming threats to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Strom's conversation centered on the ripple effects of the Supreme Court's consideration of Trump v. Slaughter. This case could significantly increase presidential control over independent agencies such as the NLRB.
In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with performance management, workplace dynamics, and employer liabilities. Mark F. Kluger practices exclusively in the area of labor and employment law on behalf of employers. For ten years, before founding Kluger Healey, LLC, he was Chairman of the Labor and Employment Department of one of New Jersey's oldest law firms. Mark is a frequent speaker and writer on sexual harassment and discrimination avoidance, workplace diversity, performance management, union avoidance, and a myriad of other employment-related subjects and regularly conducts training sessions for employers on these critical topics. In addition, Mark has extensive experience in counseling employers on issues involving discipline and discharge, reductions in force, mergers and acquisitions, compliance with wage and hour, disability, COBRA, and family and medical leave laws. He regularly drafts all forms of employment policies and handbooks, severance agreements, employment contracts, non-competition and confidentiality agreements, and affirmative action plans. Mark also represents employers in collective bargaining, grievance arbitration, NLRB proceedings, and picket line issues. Mark graduated from Vassar College in 1984 and Cornell University Law School in 1987. He was an Adjunct Professor at Seton Hall Law School from 1991-1996 and served as a member and President of the Board of Education in North Caldwell, New Jersey from 2002-2008. Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!
Tuesday, December 9th, 2025Today, Alina Habba has surrendered from her position as the interim US Attorney in New Jersey; rumor has it that Donald will fire Kristi Noem this January and replace her with Glenn Youngkin; the boat at the center of the double tap strike was not headed to the United States; Hegseth told Admiral Bradly the passengers were on a kill list; Marjorie Taylor Greene told 60 Minutes that Republicans privately hate Trump but refuses to name names; Donald blasts Congressman Henry Cuellar for not switching parties after he pardoned him; the Supreme Court heard arguments on the President's authority to fire people from multi-member boards like the MSPB and NLRB; a federal judge has blocked the government's access to the Comey emails at the core of their now dismissed indictment; and Allison and Dana deliver and your Good News.Thank You, Helix27% Off Sitewide, when you go to https://HelixSleep.com/dailybeansSubscribe to the MSW YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@MSWMediaPodsStonewall Inn Brick Awards - https://stonewallinitiative.org/brick-awards-gala-fundraiserStoriesTrump's plans to shatter the bureaucracy have a green light at the Supreme Court | POLITICOBoat at center of double-tap strike controversy was meeting vessel headed to Suriname, admiral told lawmakers | CNNExpert Q&A on the U.S. Boat StrikesSteve Vladeck | SubstackTrump Blasts Henry Cuellar, Democrat Lawmaker, for Not Switching Parties After Pardon | The New York TimesGood Trouble - https://near.tl/sm/ik-ZushRaBrom Jess Craven over at Chop Wood, Carry Water on Substackhttps://chopwoodcarrywaterdailyactions.substack.com/p/chop-wood-carry-water-125-805“Donald Trump and his ballroom architect have parted ways, and Trump has hired a new firm, Shalom Baranes Associates - https://www.sbaranes.com, to do the project.Their email address is inquiries@sbaranes.com”From The Good NewsClaire Reynolds - https://bsky.app/profile/yeehawclaire.bsky.social Separation of Church and Hate Book - https://a.co/d/bp1JkMMLibby - https://libbyapp.com→Please submit your own at https://DailyBeansPod.com - click on ‘Good News and Good Trouble'Our Donation Linkshttps://www.nationalsecuritylaw.org/donate, https://secure.actblue.com/donate/msw-bwc, http://WhistleblowerAid.org/beansJoin Dana and The Daily Beans and support on Giving Tuesdayhttp://onecau.se/_ekes71Federal workers - email AG at fedoath@pm.me and let me know what you're going to do, or just vent. I'm always here to listen. Dr. Allison Gill - https://muellershewrote.substack.com, https://bsky.app/profile/muellershewrote.com, https://instagram.com/muellershewrote, https://twitter.com/MuellerSheWrote, https://www.youtube.com/@MSWMediaPodsDana Goldberg - https://bsky.app/profile/dgcomedy.bsky.social, https://twitter.com/DGComedy, https://www.instagram.com/dgcomedy, https://www.facebook.com/dgcomedy, https://danagoldberg.comMore from MSW Media - https://mswmedia.com/shows, Cleanup On Aisle 45 pod, https://muellershewrote.substack.comReminder - you can see the pod pics if you become a Patron. The good news pics are at the bottom of the show notes of each Patreon episode! That's just one of the perks of subscribing! patreon.com/muellershewrote Our Donation LinksNational Security Counselors - DonateMSW Media, Blue Wave California Victory Fund | ActBlueWhistleblowerAid.org/beansFederal workers - feel free to email AG at fedoath@pm.me and let me know what you're going to do, or just vent. I'm always here to listen. Find Upcoming Actions 50501 Movement, No Kings.org, Indivisible.orgDr. Allison Gill - Substack, BlueSky , TikTok, IG, TwitterDana Goldberg - BlueSky, Twitter, IG, facebook, danagoldberg.comCheck out more from MSW Media - Shows - MSW Media, Cleanup On Aisle 45 pod, The Breakdown | SubstackShare your Good News or Good TroubleMSW Good News and Good TroubleHave some good news; a confession; or a correction to share?Good News & Confessions - The Daily Beanshttps://www.dailybeanspod.com/confessional/ Listener Survey:http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=shortFollow the Podcast on Apple:The Daily Beans on Apple PodcastsWant to support the show and get it ad-free and early?The Daily Beans | SupercastThe Daily Beans & Mueller, She Wrote | PatreonThe Daily Beans | Apple Podcasts Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
This Day in Legal History: Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr's Kid Sworn in as JusticeOn December 8, 1902, Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. was sworn in as an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, beginning one of the most storied judicial careers in American history. Appointed by President Theodore Roosevelt, Holmes brought not just legal brilliance but a fierce sense of independence to the bench—qualities that would define his nearly 30-year tenure. He would become known as “The Great Dissenter,” not because he loved conflict, but because he saw the Constitution as a living document that demanded humility, skepticism of dogma, and above all, respect for democratic governance.Holmes shaped modern constitutional law, particularly in his groundbreaking First Amendment opinions. In Schenck v. United States (1919), he famously coined the “clear and present danger” test, establishing a foundational limit on government power to suppress speech. Though that decision upheld a conviction, Holmes's dissent later that year in Abrams v. United States marked his turn toward a much broader vision of free expression—one that laid the groundwork for modern civil liberties jurisprudence.A Civil War veteran wounded at Antietam, Holmes served with the Massachusetts Volunteers and carried shrapnel in his body for the rest of his life. His long memory gave him historical depth: legend holds he met both Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy—Lincoln as a young Union officer in Washington, and JFK decades later when the future president visited the aged Holmes on his 90th birthday. While the Lincoln meeting is plausible and widely accepted, the Kennedy encounter is well documented—photos exist of JFK visiting Holmes in 1932, shortly before the justice's death.Holmes's legal philosophy emphasized restraint, often reminding fellow jurists that the Constitution “is made for people of fundamentally differing views.” He resisted turning the judiciary into a super-legislature, warning against confusing personal preference with constitutional mandate. His opinions, dissents, and aphorisms—“taxes are what we pay for civilized society,” among them—still echo in courtrooms and classrooms today.By the time he retired in 1932 at age 90, Holmes had become an icon: not just a jurist, but a symbol of intellectual honesty and constitutional humility. His December 8 appointment wasn't just another judicial swearing-in—it was the beginning of a philosophical legacy that still defines the boundaries of American legal thought.Amit Agarwal, a former clerk to Justices Alito and Kavanaugh, will soon find himself arguing against the very ideology he once clerked under—defending limits on presidential power in a case that could gut a nearly century-old precedent, Humphrey's Executor v. United States (1935). He'll be representing former FTC Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter, who sued after President Trump gave her the boot, and whose case now tees up a potentially seismic shift in how presidents control independent agencies.At issue is whether the president can remove members of independent commissions—like the FTC—at will, or whether statutory “for cause” protections, created by Congress and upheld since the New Deal, still mean anything. If the Supreme Court overturns Humphrey's Executor, it would blow a hole in the legal framework that has shielded multi-member agencies from raw political interference since Roosevelt tried—and failed—to remake the FTC in his own image.Let's pause here: Humphrey's Executor isn't just some dusty New Deal relic. It drew a sharp line between executive officers who serve the president directly and independent regulators who are supposed to be immune from daily political whims. The Court in 1935 said: no, FDR, you can't just fire an FTC commissioner because he's not singing from your hymnbook. That ruling became the backbone of modern agency independence—from the Fed to the SEC to the NLRB. Without it, the next president could dismiss any regulatory head who doesn't toe the party line. You want crypto rules to mean something? Food safety? Banking supervision? Say goodbye to all that if we pretend these agencies are just White House interns with better titles.But here's where it gets interesting: Agarwal is making the conservative case for restraint. Now working at Protect Democracy, he's arguing that letting presidents fire independent commissioners at will isn't a win for constitutional governance—it's a power grab that warps the original design. He's invoked Burkean conservatism—the idea that practical experience should trump theoretical purity—and warns that blind devotion to the “unitary executive theory” threatens institutional integrity more than it protects separation of powers.And Agarwal isn't alone. A collection of conservative legal scholars, former judges, and ex-White House lawyers—some with deep Federalist Society credentials—have filed briefs supporting his position. Their argument? That Humphrey's Executor is an “originalist” decision, faithful to the Founders' ambivalence about concentrated executive power, especially in domestic administration.Still, let's be honest: the Court is unlikely to be swayed by this internal dissent. The Roberts Court has already chipped away at agency independence in decisions like Seila Law (2020) and Loper Bright (2024), where it let Trump fire the CFPB director and overturned Chevron deference respectively. With a solid conservative majority, and multiple justices openly embracing a muscular vision of presidential control, the writing may already be on the wall.Which is precisely what makes Agarwal's stand so notable. This isn't some progressive legal activist parachuting in from the ACLU (though his wife did work there). This is someone who backed Kavanaugh publicly, donated to Nikki Haley, and spent years rising through the conservative legal pipeline—only to conclude that this version of executive power isn't conservative at all. It's reactionary.So what happens if Humphrey's goes down? Beyond the short-term question of whether Slaughter gets her job back, the bigger issue is how much power presidents will wield over what were supposed to be politically insulated regulatory bodies. Will a ruling in Trump's favor mean future presidents can purge the Fed board? Fire NLRB members mid-term? Flatten the independence of enforcement agencies? The Court may claim it's just restoring “constitutional structure,” but don't be surprised if that structure starts to look a lot like one-man rule.Agarwal, to his credit, is saying: not so fast. Sometimes conserving means preserving. And sometimes defending the Constitution means restraining the people who claim to speak for it the loudest.Ex-Alito, Kavanaugh Clerk Defends Limits on Trump's Firing PowerFight over Trump's power to fire FTC member heads to US Supreme Court | ReutersA federal judge has temporarily barred the Justice Department from using evidence seized from Daniel Richman, a former legal adviser to ex-FBI Director James Comey, in any future attempts to revive criminal charges against Comey. The move comes just weeks after the original case was dismissed due to the lead prosecutor's unlawful appointment.At issue is whether federal prosecutors violated Richman's Fourth Amendment rights by searching his personal computer without a warrant during earlier investigations into media leaks tied to Comey's 2020 congressional testimony. U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly sided with Richman—for now—saying he's likely to succeed on the merits and ordering the government to isolate and secure the data until at least December 12.The contested materials had been used to support now-dropped charges that Comey made false statements and obstructed Congress regarding FBI leaks about the Clinton and Trump investigations. But Richman, once a special FBI employee himself, argues the search was illegal and wants the files deleted or returned.The Justice Department, undeterred, is reportedly considering a second indictment of Comey. But between shaky prosecutorial appointments and constitutional challenges like this one, their case is rapidly sliding into legally questionable territory.US federal judge temporarily blocks evidence use in dismissed Comey case | ReutersThe U.S. Supreme Court has declined to review a controversial book removal case out of Llano County, Texas, effectively allowing local officials to keep 17 books off public library shelves—titles that deal with race, LGBTQ+ identity, puberty, and even flatulence.The justices let stand a divided 5th Circuit ruling that found no First Amendment violation in the county's decision to pull the books. That decision reversed a lower court order requiring the books be returned and rejected the plaintiffs' argument that library patrons have a constitutional “right to receive information.” The 5th Circuit held that libraries have wide discretion to curate collections, and that removing titles doesn't equate to banning them altogether—people can still buy them online, the court reasoned.The dispute began in 2021 when local officials responded to complaints by residents, ultimately purging books including Maurice Sendak's In the Night Kitchen (due to nude illustrations), as well as works on slavery and gender identity. Opponents of the removal sued, citing free speech violations. But the case now stands as a significant blow to that theory—at least in the 5th Circuit, which covers Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.The Supreme Court's refusal to intervene leaves unresolved a key question: does the First Amendment protect not just the right to speak, but the right to access certain information in public institutions? For now, in parts of the South, the answer appears to be no.US Supreme Court turns away appeal of Texas library book ban | Reuters This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe
10 Roads Express to shut down operations, end USPS contracts and terminate its postal agreements by late January. The major mail hauler plans to complete its remaining service obligations despite a recent history of labor disputes with the Teamsters. The episode also covers Inside the Amazon-Teamsters showdown: What's next?, highlighting a union victory for drivers in Kentucky alongside legislative battles in New York,. Additionally, federal proceedings at the NLRB continue to assess whether Amazon should be classified as a joint employer for delivery drivers. In regulatory news, the DOT kicks 3,000 truck driver trainers off registry for failing to meet federal service standards. The FMCSA has placed thousands more on notice regarding potential noncompliance issues involving falsified data and curriculum failures. Tune in to FreightWaves TV later today for new episodes of Check Call and Loaded and Rolling. Listen to this brief update to stay ahead of the most critical stories shaping the freight and logistics industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
10 Roads Express to shut down operations, end USPS contracts and terminate its postal agreements by late January. The major mail hauler plans to complete its remaining service obligations despite a recent history of labor disputes with the Teamsters. The episode also covers Inside the Amazon-Teamsters showdown: What's next?, highlighting a union victory for drivers in Kentucky alongside legislative battles in New York,. Additionally, federal proceedings at the NLRB continue to assess whether Amazon should be classified as a joint employer for delivery drivers. In regulatory news, the DOT kicks 3,000 truck driver trainers off registry for failing to meet federal service standards. The FMCSA has placed thousands more on notice regarding potential noncompliance issues involving falsified data and curriculum failures. Tune in to FreightWaves TV later today for new episodes of Check Call and Loaded and Rolling. Listen to this brief update to stay ahead of the most critical stories shaping the freight and logistics industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, we're covering new Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance on reporting tips and overtime, a widened circuit split on National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) authority, and a delayed Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) committee vote on an NLRB nominee. No Fines for Incorrect Reporting of Tips and Overtime in 2025 New guidance from the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS states that penalties will not be assessed for employers who fail to meet the new reporting requirements for cash tips and overtime compensation in 2025. Sixth Circuit Widens Circuit Split on NLRB Authority The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has joined the Third and Fifth Circuits in ruling that the NLRB's expanded "make whole" remedies are inconsistent with the National Labor Relations Act. NLRB Nomination Stalls A Senate HELP committee vote on NLRB nominee Scott Mayer, which was scheduled for November 19, was canceled. Confirmation of the nominee would restore the Board's quorum. - Visit our site for this week's Other Highlights and links: https://www.ebglaw.com/eltw414 Download our Wage & Hour Guide for Employers app: https://www.ebglaw.com/wage-hour-guide-for-employers-app. Subscribe to #WorkforceWednesday: https://www.ebglaw.com/eltw-subscribe Visit http://www.EmploymentLawThisWeek.com - Epstein Becker Green is a national law firm that focuses its resources on health care, life sciences, and workforce management solutions, coupled with powerful litigation strategies. This video is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Viewing this video does not create an attorney-client relationship. EMPLOYMENT LAW THIS WEEK® and #WorkforceWednesday® are registered trademarks of Epstein Becker & Green, P.C. © Epstein Becker & Green, P.C. All Rights Reserved. Attorney Advertising.
This episode of America's Work Force Union Podcast featured Matthew Bruenig, labor lawyer and publisher of the legal tracking platform NLRB Edge. Bruenig discussed his motivation for launching an accessible and affordable resource for tracking National Labor Relations Board rulings, and then discussed the bipartisan Faster Labor Contracts Act. The America's Work Force Union Podcast welcomed Dennis Torres and Bonnie Oconer, patient care technicians and members of the Service Employees International Union United Healthcare Workers West, who discussed their experiences in California dialysis clinics, revealing troubling findings regarding patient safety, chronic understaffing and hazardous working environments.
Can a reality TV contestant be considered an employee? In this episode, Miller Johnson employment attorneys Rebecca Strauss and Sarah Willey break down the Love Is Blind lawsuit and why the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) says contestants might be employees, not independent contractors. Using the show as a real-world case study, Rebecca and Sarah explore the legal implications of employment status, control in the workplace, and how this bizarre situation actually mirrors challenges many employers face today. Whether you're in HR, legal, or just a reality TV fan, this episode offers a fascinating, practical look at labor law in the entertainment world. Tune in to explore: Legal details behind Love Is Blind lawsuits NLRB's stance on reality TV employment The 6-factor independent contractor test Why control, pay, and working conditions matter What this means for your workforce
This week, we examine what employers should anticipate as the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)—which currently has only one active member, a Democrat, and four vacancies—moves closer to regaining a quorum and resuming full operations. What Restoring a Quorum at the NLRB Could Mean for Employers For the first time in more than 10 months, the NLRB may soon have three members, reestablishing a quorum and potentially impacting employers significantly. What Employers Should Know: Nominees Pending: Two Republican nominees to the NLRB, as well as the NLRB's General Counsel nominee, are awaiting U.S. Senate confirmation. Backlog: Restoring a quorum would allow the NLRB to address its backlog of cases and resume issuing decisions. Majority Requirement: Historically, a three-vote majority has been needed to overturn major precedents, which the NLRB may lack until it includes at least three Republican members. In this episode of Employment Law This Week®, Epstein Becker Green attorney Corey P. Argust discusses the implications as the NLRB moves toward full operations. Visit our site for this week's Other Highlights and links: https://www.ebglaw.com/eltw412 Download our Wage & Hour Guide for Employers app: https://www.ebglaw.com/wage-hour-guide-for-employers-app. Subscribe to #WorkforceWednesday: https://www.ebglaw.com/eltw-subscribe Visit http://www.EmploymentLawThisWeek.com This podcast is presented by Epstein Becker & Green, P.C. All rights are reserved. This audio recording includes information about legal issues and legal developments. Such materials are for informational purposes only and may not reflect the most current legal developments. These informational materials are not intended, and should not be taken, as legal advice on any particular set of facts or circumstances, and these materials are not a substitute for the advice of competent counsel. The content reflects the personal views and opinions of the participants. No attorney-client relationship has been created by this audio recording. This audio recording may be considered attorney advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. The determination of the need for legal services and the choice of a lawyer are extremely important decisions and should not be based solely upon advertisements or self-proclaimed expertise. No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.
In this episode of From Lawyer to Employer, host Dan Schwartz sits down with Abby Booth to unpack highlights from Shipman's annual Labor & Employment Seminar — from evolving federal and state developments to real-world compliance takeaways for employers. They cover the latest on I-9 audits, NLRB updates, harassment and retaliation trends, reductions in force, and key U.S. and Connecticut Supreme Court decisions shaping the workplace in 2025.
Join Traci and attorney Bryan Driscoll for this month's Policy Pulse episode covering the latest workplace regulations that demand your attention. Together they break down the DOL's new emergency pay ruling, a shocking discrimination lawsuit, California's pay transparency expansion, and Supreme Court cases that could reshape federal workplace regulation.Spoiler alert: Emergency pay just became part of your overtime calculation headache, and California is done with fake pay ranges.This episode unpacks how the Department of Labor now requires emergency and hazard pay to be included when calculating overtime rates, making your payroll significantly more complex. You'll also hear about the EEOC's lawsuit against a staffing firm that honored male-only hiring requests and why this puts all recruiters on notice. Discover how California's strengthened pay transparency law demands "good faith" ranges that include total comp, not theoretical maximums, plus why the Supreme Court's upcoming term could create wild policy swings for the NLRB and EEOC.What We Cover:– DOL's new emergency pay overtime requirement– The staffing firm's male-only hiring lawsuit– California's "good faith" pay range mandate– Why vendor compliance doesn't absolve employer liability– Supreme Court cases threatening independent agencies– The ERISA fiduciary risks HR overlooksKey Quote: "California now says you can't put in a job description what you could pay an employee. You have to put in the job posting what you will pay the employee." – Bryan DriscollConnect with Bryan Driscoll: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanjohndriscoll/ Connect with Traci here: https://linktr.ee/HRTraci Disclaimer: Thoughts, opinions, and statements made on this podcast are not a reflection of the thoughts, opinions, and statements of the Company by whom Traci Chernoff is actively employed.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products or services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.
We start with headlines from Starbucks, Amazon, MIT, Ohio University, Harvard, UPS, Fairfax County, Allina Healthcare and Tunisia. In a possible major shift, Saudi Arabia announced the end to their system of contract slave labor known as the Kafala system, we discuss how that may play out in reality. A recent piece from In These Times spoke with unionized workers at Reuters in British Columbia who are fighting their employer's collaboration with ICE. Over 100,000 workers launched a mass strike in New Zealand against austerity policies crushing the country's education and healthcare sectors. Finally, Capital and Main put out an excellent report this week on efforts by workers at dollar stores in Louisiana to organize for better pay and conditions outside the usual NLRB process, and how that might be replicated elsewhere. Join the discord: discord.gg/tDvmNzX Follow the pod at instagram.com/workstoppage, @WorkStoppagePod on Twitter, John @facebookvillain, and Lina @solidaritybee
Episode 349: New research shows women's earnings are falling further behind - but the reasons go beyond bias. With return-to-office mandates, childcare costs, and promotion patterns, Phil, Burt, and fan favorite Mikey Mac unpack what's really driving women's declining pay. They'll also share what employers can do right now to close the gap, retain key talent, and build trust through fair compensation strategies. Timestamps: 00:08 – Opening Topic: women earn $0.81 for every dollar men earn. 01:32 – Government Shutdown: how the NLRB and EEOC slowdowns are affecting employers. 02:54 – Special Guest Returns: Compensation expert Mikey Mac joins the show. 04:29 – Lawyer on the Clock: Thrive Inc. case expanding NLRB remedies for unfair labor practices. 08:19 – Federal judge strikes down Biden-era protections under the Affordable Care Act. 11:01 – HR Reminder: Illinois' personnel file access law and why employers must stay compliant. 16:51 – Main Discussion: Phil and Mike dive into the gender pay gap and why it's widening again. 19:01 – Companies offering “return-to-office” pay incentives and how it may worsen pay inequity. 23:08 – Families spend up to 24% of income on daycare, influencing women at work. 26:12 – Should pay be based on competency or tenure? The panel debates what's fair and legal. 33:31 – Payroll tax and fringe benefit updates for 2026 and how to join AAIM's December sessions.
This week, we're covering an uptick in state-level employment law activity, federal court decisions on “captive audience” bans, and Rhode Island's new menopause accommodation requirements. State Legislative Activity Increases California has introduced new laws on paid sick leave, artificial intelligence, pay equity, and protections for tipped workers. Meanwhile, other states are also rolling out new laws impacting employment practices. Courts Clash Over “Captive Audience” Bans Federal courts have issued conflicting rulings on state restrictions regarding employer-mandated meetings related to union organizing. Rhode Island Enacts First-Ever Menopause Law Through a new amendment to its Fair Employment Practices Act, Rhode Island has become the first state in the country to require employers with four or more employees to accommodate menopause symptoms. - Visit our site for this week's Other Highlights and links: https://www.ebglaw.com/eltw409 Download our Wage & Hour Guide for Employers app: https://www.ebglaw.com/wage-hour-guide-for-employers-app. Subscribe to #WorkforceWednesday: https://www.ebglaw.com/eltw-subscribe Visit http://www.EmploymentLawThisWeek.com This podcast is presented by Epstein Becker & Green, P.C. All rights are reserved. This audio recording includes information about legal issues and legal developments. Such materials are for informational purposes only and may not reflect the most current legal developments. These informational materials are not intended, and should not be taken, as legal advice on any particular set of facts or circumstances, and these materials are not a substitute for the advice of competent counsel. The content reflects the personal views and opinions of the participants. No attorney-client relationship has been created by this audio recording. This audio recording may be considered attorney advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. The determination of the need for legal services and the choice of a lawyer are extremely important decisions and should not be based solely upon advertisements or self-proclaimed expertise. No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.
In this episode, JoDee and Susan discuss emotions in the workplace with expert Tammy Smith. Topics include: Why emotion at work is a key emerging issue Why emotions matter in the workplace How emotions affect how we make decisions, communicate, and experience work How to build self-awareness and use emotions as signals Navigating difficult emotions in the workplace How to strengthen your emotional agility In this episode's listener mail, we're asked about ideas for making required learning fun. In the news, an NLRB ruling said off-duty Amazon employees can use parking lots for union activity. Full show notes and links are available here: https://getjoypowered.com/show-notes-episode-232-emotions-at-work/ A transcript of the episode can be found here: https://getjoypowered.com/transcript-episode-232-emotions-at-work/ To get 0.5 hour of SHRM recertification credit, fill out the evaluation here: https://getjoypowered.com/shrm/ (the SHRM credit code for this episode will expire on October 20, 2026) Become a member to get early and ad-free access to episodes, video versions, and more perks! Learn more at patreon.com/joypowered Connect with us: @JoyPowered on Instagram: https://instagram.com/joypowered @JoyPowered on Facebook: https://facebook.com/joypowered @JoyPowered on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/joypowered Sign up for our email newsletter: https://getjoypowered.com/newsletter/
In episode 107 we unpack the global and domestic landscape of workplace safety regulation. Drawing from a recent paper by Maureen Dollard and Rachael Potter, we explore how psychosocial risks (e.g., job stress, job insecurity, and AI disruption) are increasingly recognized as legitimate safety concerns. The conversation dives into:* How Australia enforces psychosocial safety standards* Why OSHA's limited scope and resources hinder worker protection in the U.S.* The role of unions and the NLRB in safeguarding employee well-being* How collective action and expanded definitions of safety can reshape the future of workThis episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in occupational health psychology, labor policy, and the evolving definition of workplace safety.Read the paper here (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41542-025-00236-z)Find OSHA's proposed regulation rollbacks, and leave public comments on them, here (https://www.osha.gov/deregulatory-rulemaking). Reminder, public comments are due November 1, 2025. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit healthywork.substack.com
Oral Arguments for the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
Vermont Information Processing, Inc. v. NLRB
This Day in Legal History: Spiro Agnew ResignsOn October 10, 1973, Vice President Spiro T. Agnew resigned from office after pleading nolo contendere (no contest) to a charge of federal income tax evasion. This marked the first time in U.S. history that a sitting vice president resigned due to criminal charges. Agnew, who had been under investigation for bribery, extortion, and tax fraud from his time as Baltimore County Executive and Governor of Maryland, struck a deal with federal prosecutors to avoid jail time.Agnew's resignation came amid the broader constitutional crisis surrounding the Nixon administration, which was already under intense scrutiny due to the unfolding Watergate scandal. While Agnew denied the bribery allegations, he admitted he failed to report $29,500 in income received in 1967. As part of the plea agreement, he was fined $10,000 and placed on three years' probation, but avoided prison.His departure triggered the use of the 25th Amendment, specifically Section 2, which allows the president to nominate a new vice president when a vacancy occurs. President Nixon nominated Gerald R. Ford, then House Minority Leader, who was confirmed by both chambers of Congress. Less than a year later, Nixon himself would resign, and Ford would ascend to the presidency—making him the only U.S. president never elected to the office of president or vice president.New York Attorney General Letitia James was indicted on October 9, 2025, for allegedly providing false information on a mortgage application. A federal grand jury in Virginia charged her with bank fraud and making a false statement to a lending institution, accusing her of falsely claiming she would use a property in Norfolk, Virginia, as a secondary residence. The indictment alleges that by misrepresenting her intent, James secured a lower interest rate, saving around $19,000. She denies wrongdoing and called the charges a politically motivated attack by the Trump administration, which she has clashed with repeatedly.The case follows a recent indictment of former FBI Director James Comey and ongoing investigations into other Trump critics, including Senator Adam Schiff and Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. Critics, including James' attorney Abbe Lowell and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, claim Trump is using the Justice Department for political retaliation. The case was brought by U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan, a recent Trump appointee, reportedly without involvement from career prosecutors. James is expected to appear in court on October 24.The legal battle comes amid ongoing litigation between James and Trump, most notably a civil fraud case that initially led to a $454 million penalty against Trump, later overturned on appeal. James' team plans to fight the charges vigorously, suggesting her misstatements were not intentional.Letitia James, NY attorney general and Trump foe, indicted for mortgage fraud | ReutersA federal judge in Chicago has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump's attempt to deploy National Guard troops to Illinois, citing concerns that the move could escalate tensions rather than ease them. U.S. District Judge April Perry questioned the federal government's justification for sending troops to manage what it described as unrest around an ICE facility in Broadview, Illinois. The state had sued the Trump administration, arguing the deployment was unnecessary and politically motivated. Perry noted that federal officers' own actions had sparked the protests and warned that additional troops would “add fuel to the fire.” Her injunction will remain in place until at least October 23.This ruling follows a similar block in Portland, Oregon, though a federal appeals court in San Francisco now seems poised to overturn that decision, possibly clearing the way for future deployments. The Trump administration has defended the use of troops, claiming it's necessary to protect federal property, while Democratic leaders in affected states accuse the president of misrepresenting peaceful protests as violent uprisings.Governor JB Pritzker called the court's ruling a win for the rule of law, arguing there's no rebellion requiring a military response in Illinois. The White House, meanwhile, pledged to appeal the decision, with Trump reiterating plans to expand troop deployments to other cities, including Chicago and Memphis. Critics argue this strategy stretches the limits of presidential authority and raises legal concerns over the military's role in domestic law enforcement.US judge blocks Trump's deployment of National Guard in Illinois | ReutersThe U.S. Senate confirmed Jennifer Mascott, a conservative legal scholar and Trump ally, to the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in a 50-47 vote, further shifting the court to the right. Her confirmation drew criticism from Democrats, particularly from Delaware senators, who objected to her lack of ties to the state traditionally associated with the vacant seat. Her only known Delaware connection is a beach house, prompting concerns about broken precedent and political loyalty.Mascott, who has clerked for Justices Clarence Thomas and Brett Kavanaugh, was on leave from her faculty position at Catholic University while working in the White House Counsel's Office. Senate Republicans praised her conservative legal background and past testimony before the Judiciary Committee. In contrast, Democrats criticized her nomination as partisan, with Senator Chuck Schumer labeling her a “sycophant” to Trump.This appointment, along with the recent confirmation of Emil Bove—a former Trump DOJ official and personal attorney—gives Republican appointees a majority on the 3rd Circuit, which hears appeals from Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.Democrats also voiced frustration over the elimination of the “blue slip” tradition, which once allowed home-state senators to block appellate nominees. Republicans ended that practice during Trump's first term, enabling confirmations like Mascott's over local opposition. On the same day, the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced another Trump nominee, Rebecca Taibleson, despite objections from her home-state senator.US Senate confirms Trump nominee Mascott to federal appeals court | ReutersA Republican-controlled Senate committee approved two of President Donald Trump's nominees to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) but delayed action on a third, leaving the agency without the quorum needed to issue decisions. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee voted 12-11 to advance James Murphy, a retired NLRB lawyer, to the board and Crystal Carey, a labor attorney, as general counsel. However, a planned vote on Scott Mayer, Boeing's chief labor counsel, was pulled after he clashed with Senator Josh Hawley during his confirmation hearing.The NLRB has been unable to function fully since Trump's firing of Democratic board member Gwynne Wilcox in January and the expiration of another Republican member's term. Wilcox is challenging her dismissal in court, and the Supreme Court has allowed her removal to stand pending resolution. Without at least three board members, the NLRB cannot issue rulings, stalling hundreds of cases — including many involving union elections.Trump's nominees would give Republicans control of the board for the first time since 2021. Democrats expressed concern over the independence of the nominees, noting the precedent of Wilcox's dismissal and questioning whether the new appointees could remain neutral. Both Murphy and Mayer insisted they would apply the law impartially, regardless of political pressure.Mayer faced particular scrutiny over a current strike involving Boeing workers in Missouri. Hawley criticized Boeing's executive compensation amid labor disputes, while Mayer declined to comment on the situation, citing his pending nomination. The HELP Committee also approved other Trump nominees for roles within the Department of Labor.US Senate panel approves two Trump NLRB nominees, tables a third | ReutersThis week's closing theme is by Giuseppe Verdi.This week's closing theme features a composer whose name is nearly synonymous with Italian opera — Giuseppe Verdi, born on or around October 10, 1813, in the small village of Le Roncole, then part of the Napoleonic French Empire. Best known for grand operas like La Traviata, Aida, and Rigoletto, Verdi's music defined the emotional and political voice of 19th-century Italy. Though his legacy rests almost entirely on the opera stage, Verdi briefly stepped into the world of chamber music with a single, striking contribution: his String Quartet in E minor, composed in 1873.He wrote it during a production delay of Aida in Naples, saying modestly it was “just a trifle” — but the work is anything but. The first movement, Allegro vivace, opens with an energetic, tightly woven interplay among the instruments, showcasing Verdi's grasp of counterpoint and formal structure, likely influenced by his admiration for German composers like Beethoven. There's a dramatic drive that feels operatic, yet the themes unfold with the clarity and discipline of a seasoned instrumentalist.It's the only surviving chamber piece Verdi completed, and it stands as a fascinating outlier in his body of work — more intimate, abstract, and inward-looking than his vocal dramas. The movement balances lyrical passages with bursts of rhythmic vitality, hinting that even without voices, Verdi could make instruments sing. As we mark the week of his birth, this selection offers a rare glimpse into the quieter, more introspective corners of a composer usually associated with sweeping arias and rousing choruses. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe
This week, we're covering the new H-1B visa fee, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's (EEOC's) closure of disparate impact cases, and recent key labor appointments. New Fee for H-1B Visas Employers must now pay $100,000 for each first-time H-1B petition filed on or after September 21, 2025. Current visa holders are not affected. Exceptions may apply, but details are limited. EEOC Shuts Down Disparate Impact Cases The EEOC has closed nearly all disparate impact cases following a recent executive order. These claims can still be pursued in court. The agency will also dissolve its Office of Enterprise Data and Analytics, although EEO-1 reporting requirements appear unchanged. Key Labor Roles Confirmed The Senate has confirmed Daniel Aronowitz as Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Employee Benefits Security Administration. Additionally, the Senate has confirmed over 100 other labor-related appointments—including 11 top labor positions—restoring a quorum at both the EEOC and the Merit Systems Protection Board. Visit our site for this week's Other Highlights and links: https://www.ebglaw.com/eltw407 Download our Wage & Hour Guide for Employers app: https://www.ebglaw.com/wage-hour-guide-for-employers-app. Subscribe to #WorkforceWednesday: https://www.ebglaw.com/eltw-subscribe Visit http://www.EmploymentLawThisWeek.com This podcast is presented by Epstein Becker & Green, P.C. All rights are reserved. This audio recording includes information about legal issues and legal developments. Such materials are for informational purposes only and may not reflect the most current legal developments. These informational materials are not intended, and should not be taken, as legal advice on any particular set of facts or circumstances, and these materials are not a substitute for the advice of competent counsel. The content reflects the personal views and opinions of the participants. No attorney-client relationship has been created by this audio recording. This audio recording may be considered attorney advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. The determination of the need for legal services and the choice of a lawyer are extremely important decisions and should not be based solely upon advertisements or self-proclaimed expertise. No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.
UFCW Local 1473 president Jake Bailey talks to labor Radio about a worker victory in an NLRB ruling shows egregious union busting in 2022 by Starbucks during a 1473 organizing drive in Madison, the Sumud Flotilla is stopped as it tries to break Israel's illegal blockade of Gaza but workers in Italy and elsewhere strike in support of Palestine, a federal judge issues a sweeping First Amendment victory in a union-backed petition fighting ICE detentions on free speech grounds but issues a warning as the Trump administration rampages unimpeded through liberal law and custom, and Daniel Costa of the Economic Policy Institute discusses the ins and outs of worker visas. THIS IS A WORT PLEDGE WEEK EDITION.
In President Trump's second term, federal agencies are navigating uncharted territory. Two Supreme Court cases from June 2024 fundamentally changed how agencies can operate: Loper Bright ended Chevron deference—meaning courts no longer automatically defer to agencies' interpretations of ambiguous laws—and Jarkesy limited agencies' ability to impose civil penalties without jury trials.At the same time, President Trump is consolidating control over agencies that were traditionally seen as independent from the executive branch. He's fired commissioners from the FTC, NLRB, and other agencies as part of his push for a "unitary executive." Former FTC Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter is fighting her dismissal, and the Supreme Court recently allowed the firing to stand while it reviews the case.The fundamental tension? Courts are stripping power from agencies just as Trump is trying to bring those agencies under tighter presidential control. Will Loper Bright and Jarkesy make these agencies less useful tools for implementing Trump's agenda, even if he wins the fight to end their independence? And how will these cases impact the FCC's authority looks to reform its broadband subsidy programs while fighting illegal robocalls?Evan is joined by Tom Johnson, former general counsel of the FCC under Chairman Pai and now a partner at Wiley Rein. He is the author of a new paper for Digital Progress Institute on ways to reform the Universal Service Fund.
Send in your questions to hrask.org or leave your questions in the chat! Are today's HR professionals being promoted faster than they're prepared? In this week's episode of This Week at Work, Phil and Burt tackle a pressing question: What does it really take to move from an entry-level HR role to an executive position? With rapid promotions and shrinking knowledge banks, HR leaders must now develop faster and smarter than ever. Tune in for real talk, legal insights, and actionable strategies for climbing the HR ladder with confidence and competence. Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome to This Week at Work 00:09 – Why HR leaders often feel unprepared 01:42 – Developing your career and leadership readiness 04:09 – Are leaders born or made? 04:58 – Lawyer on the Clock: Government shutdown & workplace impact 07:25 – How the shutdown affects NLRB, EEOC & DOL 13:20 – TSA, travel, and essential functions during the shutdown 19:26 – Boeing negotiations, unions, and leadership lessons 25:01 – Risks of promoting too quickly in HR 29:55 – How emerging HR leaders can prepare for executive roles
Jennifer Abruzzo, former General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board and current senior advisor to the President for the Communication Workers of America, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss her tenure at the NLRB, recent challenges to the agency's authority and the importance of worker solidarity.
Oral Arguments for the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
NP Red Rock LLC v. NLRB
This week's show is sponsored in part by EPIC-MRA Public Opinion Research MIRS News
Part 1:Discussion of Robert Arnold's substack.Interview with Jennifer Abruzzo, former Counsel to NLRB.Part 2:We talk to John Nichols about the corruption of the Trump administration. Specifically, we discuss how the whole political system in the US has become corrupt at its core.WNHNFM.ORG production
Send us a text On this episode, I'm joined by the former General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board, Jennifer Abruzzo. Jennifer discusses:1) Why she thinks college athletes should be unionized employees who engage in collective bargaining2) Why collective bargaining help, not hurt, college athletics as a whole3) How and why conferences should collectively bargain with college athletes4) Why she wasn't surprised to be fired by President Trump, and 5) Her perspective on the now-paused SCORE Act and President Trump's executive order on college sports.Thank you for listening! For the latest in sports law news and analysis, you can follow Gabe Feldman on twitter @sportslawguy .
We're down a host this week, but Dan and Lina press on to bring you the labor headlines. We've got stories from the CTU, Hyundai, Amazon, and Onatrio Public Colleges. For our first main story, it turns out not only is AI not intelligent, in order to be even slightly coherent, it relies on low paid human labor. Union busting law firm Littler Mendelson was exposed in an article in the American Prospect for advocating breaking labor law bosses don't like. Workers at Starbucks are continuing to devise new tactics to pressure the company to finally sign a union contract as membership has soared past 12,000. Finally, two articles this week from Jacobin and In These Times ask how labor can change tactics to respond to a crisis the NLRB process is not designed to solve. Join the discord: discord.gg/tDvmNzX Follow the pod at instagram.com/workstoppage, @WorkStoppagePod on Twitter, John @facebookvillain, and Lina @solidaritybee
Oral Arguments for the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
CenturyTel of Montana, Inc. v. NLRB
Oral Arguments for the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC v. NLRB
Oral Arguments for the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
Hospital Menonita de Guayama, Inc. v. NLRB
Oral Arguments for the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Hiran Management v. NLRB
Trump is keeping the courts active; this week saw a ruling against many of the widespread tarrifs he has sought to impose, and the Fifth Circuit upheld his dismissal of an NLRB member. Meanwhile, a Fed governor was dismissed, supposedly for cause. And the social media announcements of supposedly impending executive orders imposing voting requirements such as voter ID kept coming. And there's more. We try to keep it all straight for you, identify the constitutional issues, and look at what the Courts might do. Meanwhile, your fantastic response to the impending Born Equal release is noted, appreciated, and we respond to it. CLE credit is available for lawyers and judges from podcast.njsba.com.
Oral Arguments for the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Harvard Maintenance v. NLRB
While Labor Unions are more popular than ever in America, a federal appeals court has ruled the NLRB itself is unconstitutional - which, if upheld, means it's up to the states to do what the NLRB did. Harold Meyerson comments.Also: What is Trump's strategy in deploying the National Guard to LA, then DC, and now probably Chicago and New York? Does he want the military in the streets of blue cities for the midterms next year? They will still elect Democrats to the House. John Nichols comments.Plus: It's time to take a step back from the daily barrage of bad news to look at the big picture of the strategy Trump has been following. David Cole explains how he's exploited the power of the federal government, not just to attack his political opponents in the Democratic Party, but also weaken the institutions of civil society that form the bedrock of democracy.
This week, we're covering four key employer-focused developments: a ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit challenging the National Labor Relations Board's (NLRB's) authority, another Fifth Circuit decision restoring pregnant worker protections, the White House's reversal of a key non-compete executive order, and a court ruling against the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's (EEOC's) early right-to-sue policy. NLRB Authority in Jeopardy The Fifth Circuit has ruled that the structure of the NLRB is likely unconstitutional, setting the stage for a potential U.S. Supreme Court review. Epstein Becker Green attorney Erin E. Schaefer tells us more. Fifth Circuit Restores Pregnant Worker Protections The Fifth Circuit also upheld the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), reversing a lower court's preliminary injunction. Employers must now ensure reasonable accommodations for pregnancy-related conditions under the PWFA. White House Rescinds Non-Compete Order The current administration has reversed President Biden's 2021 executive order on expansive antitrust enforcement, signaling a return to a more traditional approach to competition reviews. Court Strikes Down EEOC Right-to-Sue Policy A federal court has ruled against the EEOC's policy of automatically issuing early right-to-sue notices in discrimination cases, limiting the practice and its impact on claimants. - Download our Wage & Hour Guide for Employers app: https://www.ebglaw.com/wage-hour-guide-for-employers-app. Visit our site for this week's Other Highlights and links: https://www.ebglaw.com/eltw402 Subscribe to #WorkforceWednesday: https://www.ebglaw.com/eltw-subscribe Visit http://www.EmploymentLawThisWeek.com This podcast is presented by Epstein Becker & Green, P.C. All rights are reserved. This audio recording includes information about legal issues and legal developments. Such materials are for informational purposes only and may not reflect the most current legal developments. These informational materials are not intended, and should not be taken, as legal advice on any particular set of facts or circumstances, and these materials are not a substitute for the advice of competent counsel. The content reflects the personal views and opinions of the participants. No attorney-client relationship has been created by this audio recording. This audio recording may be considered attorney advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. The determination of the need for legal services and the choice of a lawyer are extremely important decisions and should not be based solely upon advertisements or self-proclaimed expertise. No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.
In the first half of the program we're talking to Michael Szpack about Labor in the Pulpit. We're also talking about the recent 5th circuit decision saying the NLRB is unconstitutional.✦ ABOUT ✦The Valley Labor Report is the only union talk radio show in Alabama, elevating struggles for justice and fairness on the job, educating folks about how they can do the same, and bringing relevant news to workers in Alabama and beyond.Our single largest source of revenue *is our listeners* so your support really matters and helps us stay on the air!Make a one time donation or become a monthly donor on our website or patreon:TVLR.FMPatreon.com/thevalleylaborreportVisit our official website for more info on the show, membership, our sponsors, merch, and more: https://www.tvlr.fmFollow TVLR on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheValleyLab...Follow TVLR on Twitter: @LaborReportersFollow Jacob on Twitter: @JacobM_ALFollow TVLR Co-Creator David Story on Twitter: @RadiclUnionist✦ CONTACT US ✦Our phone number is 844-899-TVLR (8857), call or text us live on air, or leave us a voicemail and we might play it during the show!✦ OUR ADVERTISERS KEEP US ON THE AIR! ✦Support them if you can.The attorneys at MAPLES, TUCKER, AND JACOB fight for working people. Let them represent you in your workplace injury claim. Mtandj.com; (855) 617-9333The MACHINISTS UNION represents workers in several industries including healthcare, the defense industry, woodworking, and more. iamaw44.org (256) 286-3704 / organize@iamaw44.orgDo you need good union laborers on your construction site, or do you want a union construction job? Reach out to the IRONWORKERS LOCAL 477. Ironworkers477.org 256-383-3334 (Jeb Miles) / local477@bellsouth.netThe NORTH ALABAMA DSA is looking for folks to work for a better North Alabama, fighting for liberty and justice for all. Contact / Join: DSANorthAlabama@gmail.comIBEW LOCAL 136 is a group of over 900 electricians and electrical workers providing our area with the finest workforce in the construction industry. You belong here. ibew136.org Contact: (205) 833-0909IFPTE - We are engineers, scientists, nonprofit employees, technicians, lawyers, and many other professions who have joined together to have a greater voice in our careers. With over 80,000 members spread across the U.S. and Canada, we invite you and your colleagues to consider the benefits of engaging in collective bargaining. IFPTE.org Contact: (202) 239-4880THE HUNTSVILLE INDUSTRIAL WORKERS OF THE WORLD is a union open to any and all working people. Call or email them today to begin organizing your workplace - wherever it is. On the Web: https://hsviww.org/ Contact: (256) 651-6707 / organize@hsviww.orgENERGY ALABAMA is accelerating Alabama's transition to sustainable energy. We are a nonprofit membership-based organization that has advocated for clean energy in Alabama since 2014. Our work is based on three pillars: education, advocacy, and technical assistance. Energy Alabama on the Web: https://alcse.org/ Contact: (256) 812-1431 / dtait@energyalabama.orgThe Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union represents in a wide range of industries, including but not limited to retail, grocery stores, poultry processing, dairy processing, cereal processing, soda bottlers, bakeries, health care, hotels, manufacturing, public sector workers like crossing guards, sanitation, and highway workers, warehouses, building services, and distribution. Learn more at RWDSU.infoThe American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is the largest federal employee union proudly representing 700,000 federal and D.C. government workers nationwide and overseas. Learn more at AFGE.orgAre you looking for a better future, a career that can have you set for life, and to be a part of something that's bigger than yourself? Consider a skilled trades apprenticeship with the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades. Learn more at IUPAT.orgUnionly is a union-focused company created specifically to support organized labor. We believe that providing online payments should be simple, safe, and secure. Visit https://unionly.io/ to learn more.Hometown Action envisions inclusive, revitalized, and sustainable communities built through multiracial working class organizing and leadership development at the local and state level to create opportunities for all people to thrive. Learn more at hometownaction.orgMembers of IBEW have some of the best wages and benefits in North Alabama. Find out more and join their team at ibew558.org ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Jennifer Abruzzo was General Counsel to the National Labor Relations Board during the Biden administration. She pioneered changes to help restore the right to organize unions to American workers. Trump […] The post Former NLRB General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo. She was the best we’ve had and Trump fired her appeared first on KKFI.
Jennifer Abruzzo was General Counsel to the National Labor Relations Board during the Biden administration. She pioneered changes to help restore the right to organize unions to American workers. Trump […] The post Former NLRB General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo. She was the best we've had and Trump fired her appeared first on KKFI.
The Fifth Circuit says yes to drag shows, but no to workers' rights. Donald Trump loses one fight to keep his dingbat lawyer Alina Habba on as Acting Interim Assistant Special Top Secret Temporary US Attorney for New Jersey, but wins big in a New York appellate court. And multiple courts tell Attorney General Pam Bondi to pound sand, even though she would really, really like to invade the secrecy of the grand jury to try and make everyone forget that her patron and Jeffrey Epstein were best buds. Links: US v. Giraud [challenge to Alina Habba; docket via CourtListener] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69409922/united-states-v-giraud-iii/ Trump v. New York [New York Appellate Division] https://nycourts.gov/courts/AD1/calendar/AppsMots/2025/apps/20250821/2023-04925,%20et%20ano..pdf Spectrum WT v. Wendler [5th Cir.] https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/23/23-10994-CV0.pdf SpaceX v. NLRB [5th Cir.] https://ecf.ca5.uscourts.gov/n/beam/servlet/TransportRoom?servlet=ShowDocMulti&incPdfHeader=Y&pacer=t&CSRF=csrf_1956458841209811746&incPdfHeaderDisp=Y&caseId=220409&outputType=doc&d=10658064&outputForm=view&incPdfFooter=&dls=7661567 Show Links: https://www.lawandchaospod.com/ BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod Threads: @LawAndChaosPod Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod
Ahead of the central bank's big meeting in Jackson Hole this week, President Trump is ramping up pressure on the Federal Reserve, calling for Fed governor Lisa Cook to resign over accusations of fraud. We'll get into it. And, SpaceX got a win in federal court that could have lasting effects on the power of the National Labor Relations Board. Plus, what makes a good life?"Appeals court says NLRB structure unconstitutional, in a win for SpaceX" from Tech Crunch"The Government Just Made it Harder for The Public to Comment on Regulations" from 404 Media"Trump Says Smithsonian Focuses Too Much on ‘How Bad Slavery Was'" from The New York Times"Trump Considers Firing Fed Official After Accusation of Mortgage Fraud" from The Wall Street Journal"There's a path to a good life beyond happiness and meaning" from The Washington Post We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.
Ahead of the central bank's big meeting in Jackson Hole this week, President Trump is ramping up pressure on the Federal Reserve, calling for Fed governor Lisa Cook to resign over accusations of fraud. We'll get into it. And, SpaceX got a win in federal court that could have lasting effects on the power of the National Labor Relations Board. Plus, what makes a good life?"Appeals court says NLRB structure unconstitutional, in a win for SpaceX" from Tech Crunch"The Government Just Made it Harder for The Public to Comment on Regulations" from 404 Media"Trump Says Smithsonian Focuses Too Much on ‘How Bad Slavery Was'" from The New York Times"Trump Considers Firing Fed Official After Accusation of Mortgage Fraud" from The Wall Street Journal"There's a path to a good life beyond happiness and meaning" from The Washington Post We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.
This Day in Legal History: Economic Opportunity ActOn August 20, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Economic Opportunity Act into law, marking a major legal milestone in the federal government's efforts to address systemic poverty. The Act authorized $1 billion to fund a wide range of social programs aimed at improving education, employment, and economic security for low-income Americans. It was the legislative backbone of Johnson's "War on Poverty" and a cornerstone of his broader Great Society agenda.The law created the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) to oversee a suite of initiatives, including Job Corps, Head Start, and Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA). These programs sought to address poverty through direct services, job training, and community empowerment rather than traditional welfare.Legally, the Act reflected a dramatic expansion of federal authority in the realm of economic and social rights, shifting the understanding of poverty from a local issue to a national legal and policy concern. It encouraged the formation of Community Action Agencies, which brought poor communities into the policy-making process—a novel approach for federal law at the time.Critics challenged the constitutionality and effectiveness of the programs, with some arguing the Act encroached on states' rights and created administrative overreach. Nonetheless, the Economic Opportunity Act became a model for future federal social legislation.By institutionalizing anti-poverty efforts through law, the Act marked a turning point in American legal and political history. While many of its original provisions have since been revised or repealed, its legacy continues in modern public assistance and education programs.California Republican lawmakers have filed an emergency lawsuit with the state Supreme Court to block Governor Gavin Newsom's redistricting proposal, which would create five new Democratic congressional districts. The GOP legislators argue that the state constitution requires a 30-day review period for new legislation and that Democrats cannot legally move forward with the plan until September 18 unless both legislative chambers approve it by a three-fourths vote. The lawsuit seeks either a ruling on the merits by Wednesday or a temporary halt to the legislative process.Newsom's proposal is intended as a direct response to a controversial redistricting initiative in Texas, championed by Governor Greg Abbott and supported by President Donald Trump, which is expected to yield five new Republican congressional seats. With the GOP holding a narrow 219-212 majority in the U.S. House, the outcome of these redistricting efforts could have significant national political implications ahead of the 2026 midterms.California Democrats aim to pass the redistricting bills by August 22 in order to place the revised maps on a special November ballot. They justify bypassing the state's independent redistricting process, established by voters in 2008, as a necessary emergency countermeasure to what they describe as partisan manipulation in Texas. That state's plan, criticized for potentially disenfranchising minority voters, led to a dramatic walkout by Texas House Democrats. Upon their return, Republican leaders imposed restrictions requiring lawmakers to remain under state police escort during sessions, sparking further protest.California Republicans sue to block Democratic redistricting plan | ReutersA federal appeals court has sided with Elon Musk's SpaceX and two other companies, ruling that the structure of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is likely unconstitutional. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found that laws protecting NLRB board members and administrative judges from being removed at will by the president likely violate the Constitution's separation of powers. The court said these protections improperly restrict the president's authority over the executive branch.This decision is the first from a federal appeals court to challenge the NLRB's structure on these grounds, setting a precedent as similar lawsuits are pending. The ruling blocks the NLRB from continuing enforcement actions against SpaceX, Energy Transfer, and Aunt Bertha while the companies' constitutional challenges proceed. Circuit Judge Don Willett, writing for the panel, stated that the companies should not have to choose between following NLRB procedures and asserting their constitutional rights.The NLRB, an independent agency created by Congress, handles private-sector labor disputes, and its structure was designed to insulate it from political influence. However, this independence is now under scrutiny. The issue gained momentum after President Trump fired Democratic board member Gwynne Wilcox in January—a move that left the board without a quorum and marked the first time a sitting board member had been removed by a president.Musk, once an adviser to Trump, has a separate pending lawsuit against the NLRB related to another dispute. The court's panel consisted entirely of Republican-appointed judges.Musk's SpaceX, others win US court challenge to labor board's structure | ReutersNevada's Chief Justice Douglas Herndon is spearheading an initiative to establish a dedicated business court in the state, aiming to attract companies seeking an alternative to Delaware's Chancery Court. During a public hearing in Las Vegas, Herndon urged the state Supreme Court to approve a commission to draft rules for the new tribunal, which could begin hearing cases as early as 2026. The court would feature judges appointed by the chief justice to four-year terms from a vetted list, with input from legal, governmental, and business stakeholders.Currently, Nevada handles business cases through district courts in Las Vegas and Reno, where judges balance other civil and criminal matters. Herndon said the creation of a specialized court would streamline corporate litigation and provide data to inform future legislative reforms. While a constitutional amendment to establish a fully independent business court is underway, that process will take years. The commission's work would serve as an interim step.This move follows a broader trend of states competing for corporate incorporations. Nevada and Texas are positioning themselves as more business-friendly venues, especially for Big Tech and firms led by controlling shareholders. Companies like Andreessen Horowitz and AMC Networks have already opted to leave Delaware in favor of Nevada. Recent changes in Nevada law now allow companies to waive jury trials via their articles of incorporation, aligning the state more closely with Delaware's procedures.Delaware, while still the leading venue for corporate law, has faced criticism over judicial bias and repetitive judge assignments. In response, it has revised statutes and begun implementing judge rotation. Texas, meanwhile, launched its business court last year and issued its first final judgment in June. Judges there serve two-year terms and juries are allowed in some cases.Nevada's Top Judge Calls for Plan to Craft Business Court RulesInvestors suing Elon Musk over his delayed disclosure of a large Twitter stake in early 2022 are challenging his attempt to use an advice-of-counsel defense while withholding related legal documents. The plaintiffs, led by an Oklahoma firefighters pension fund, argue Musk is employing a “sword and shield” tactic—invoking legal advice to justify his actions while citing attorney-client privilege to avoid releasing relevant evidence.They've asked a federal judge in Manhattan to force Musk to formally declare whether he intends to rely on legal counsel or a good-faith defense before he testifies in late August and early September. If Musk invokes this defense, plaintiffs want access to communications with lawyers from Quinn Emanuel and McDermott Will & Emery, both of which advised Musk around the time he disclosed his 9.2% Twitter stake in April 2022.The lawsuit alleges Musk defrauded shareholders by delaying disclosure, causing them to sell stock at artificially low prices. Musk has denied wrongdoing, stating he misunderstood SEC disclosure rules and acted in good faith once he realized the mistake. Plaintiffs argue that if Musk refuses to share legal advice-related documents, the court should prevent him from using that defense at trial.A similar civil lawsuit by the SEC over the same issue remains pending. The outcome of this discovery dispute could shape the strength of Musk's defense in both cases.Musk's advice-of-counsel defense faces test in Twitter lawsuit | Reuters This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe
Andrew Strom, labor lawyer and adjunct professor at Brooklyn Law School, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the current state of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). On today's Labor 131 segment, presented by the National Labor Office of Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, Tom Suhrbur, author and retired organizer for the Illinois Education Association (IEA), discussed his book "Public Education and Social Reform: A History of the Illinois Education Association."
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has come under increasing criticism, with some accusing it of constantly reversing precedent, especially in cases involving labor policy issues. Professor Sam Estreicher of the NYU School of Law describes this supposed “policy oscillation” as having created unpredictability for employers, unions, and all stakeholders under the Act as to the state of the law under the NLRA. Many have also brought into question the independence of the NLRB, especially after the recent termination by the President of NLRB Member Gwynne Wilcox. The ensuing litigation regarding her termination will ultimately be decided by the Supreme Court.In hopes of remedying the alleged policy oscillation and partisan interference with the Board’s decision-making, Professor Estreicher, Professor David Sherwyn, and G. Roger King have proposed establishing an Article I labor court to replace the five-member National Labor Relations Board. This panel will discuss the current state of the National Labor Relations Board and the potential merits of replacing the Board with an Article I labor court.Featuring:Prof. Samuel Estreicher, Dwight D. Opperman Professor of Law; Director, Center for Labor, New York University School of LawRichard F. Griffin, Jr., Of Counsel, Bredhoff & Kaiser PLLC; Former General Counsel, National Labor Relations BoardProf. David Sherwyn, Professor of Law, Cornell University School of Hotel AdministrationGlenn Taubman, Staff Attorney, National Right To Work Legal Defense Foundation(Moderator) G. Roger King, Senior Labor and Employment Counsel, HR Policy Association
The ghost of Jeffrey Epstein continues to haunt Donald Trump, so he sent his attorney Todd Blanche to Florida to visit Ghislaine Maxwell for an exorcism. Despite the Supreme Court's valiant efforts, lower courts are still refusing to let the Trump administration un-person children of immigrants. And Alina Habba is back in her office at the US Attorney's office in New Jersey pretending to be a real prosecutor. Links: Ghislaine Maxwell SCOTUS Docket https://www.supremecourt.gov/search.aspx?filename=/docket/docketfiles/html/public/24-1073.html Trump v. Murdoch Docket https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70843413/trump-v-murdoch/?order_by=desc New Jersey v. Trump Docket https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69561497/state-of-new-jersey-v-trump Federal Vacancies Reform Act https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/5/part-III/subpart-B/chapter-33/subchapter-III 28 USC 546 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/28/546 NLRB v. SW General, 580 U.S. 288 (2017) https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=10679305642695926350 Biden v. Byrne Docket https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67990012/parties/robert-hunter-biden-v-patrick-m-byrne/ Show Links: https://www.lawandchaospod.com/ BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod Threads: @LawAndChaosPod Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod
Andrew and Mary launch this week's episode by digging into the details on some of the latest acts of retribution coming out of the Trump administration as Trump targets Harvard, the Jenner & Block law firm gets a decision and Rep. LaMonica McIver gets charged with assault. Afterwards, they review a preliminary decision from the Supreme Court to stay a DC District Court's injunction that paused the firing of Gwynne Wilcox from the National Labor Relations Board, as well as Cathy Harris from the MSPB governing board while they challenge their removals. And lastly, Andrew and Mary get listeners up to speed on the O.C.G. case and the DOJ's continued defiance of Judge Murphy's TRO regarding extractions of migrants to countries they have no ties to.Further listening: HERE is a clip of Rep LaMonica McIver responding to the charges against her.Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.