STAFFERS STAND UP: House Republicans have thrown a wrench in the trouble to unionize congressional staffers that picked up steam last 12 months. But similar efforts in Democrat-controlled statehouses from coast to coast have also proliferated prior to now few years and are continuing.
The situation varies from place to put, but they differ from Congress in several ways — including that the potential bargaining units are inclined to be chamberwide, somewhat than a person member’s office like within the House.
Some also involve convincing lawmakers to pass laws explicitly stating that staffers can unionize, as Washington state did last 12 months. That’s the case in California — where a late push to pass such a bill got here up short — in addition to Massachusetts, with a measure being introduced just last week to deal with legal issues that Senate Democratic leadership cited as reason not to acknowledge the union last 12 months.
Elsewhere, organizers imagine existing law surrounding public-sector unions of their state already extends to legislative staffers. That’s the case in Recent York where union backers went public last week with a push to unionize the Assembly, months Senate staffers launched their very own drive.
“This is just not like a left or right thing. It is a employee and management thing,” Astrid Aune, a Senate aide energetic with Recent York State Legislature Staff United. “If it is going to be an actual bargaining unit it must be everyone.”
But winning over their respective lawmakers is just one battlefront. Also they are sure to face legal challenges from conservative and right-to-work groups.
As an example, the Freedom Foundationis searching for to invalidate Oregon staffers’ unionization vote in May 2021. A part of its argument is that the legislative union would violate the separation of powers because it will be overseen by Oregon’s Employment Relations Board, an element of the chief branch.
“All of its members are appointed by the governor, so it’s controlled by the chief branch, and that subjects the legislature to the chief branch in a selected way,” Freedom Foundation attorney Rebekah Millard told POLITICO.
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FROM CARBURETORS TO CONGRESS: First-term Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.) is pitching herself because the kind of blue-collar employee that has drifted away from the Democratic party lately and someone with ideas on easy methods to win them back, our Natalie Fertig reports for POLITICO Magazine.
A sample of what she said: “We have now to start out rebuilding the American workforce. We’re all a part of the generation where one of the best trade schools got became computer programming schools. Now we’re all on waitlists to see an electrician, plumber or carpenter.”
COMING SOON FROM OSHA: Lobbyists representing the health care and construction industries are pushing back on the Biden administration’s plans to finalize Covid-19 protections for employees in health care settings, arguing it will be unnecessary and burdensome in a still uncertain time, our Megan R. Wilson reports for Pros.
The temporary rule, which OSHA stopped enforcing last 12 months, included requirements surrounding ventilation, protective equipment and Covid testing and vaccination mandates, amongst other things. In finalizing it, the agency is considering whether to broaden the necessities and extend them to additional sectors comparable to construction employees inside a hospital.
It’s currently under review on the White House’s Office of Management and Budget and has not been publicly released.
More agency news: “NLRB Chair Hails Board’s Precedent Output, Says More on Way,” from Bloomberg Law.
THE TECH TIDE TURNS: The wave of big tech layoffs is partly a mirrored image of corporations that ran up their headcount in the course of the pandemic and at the moment are shifting course, The Recent York Times reports.
“Nearly 200,000 tech employees have been laid off for the reason that start of 2022, in line with Layoffs.fyi, a site that tracks job cuts within the sector.”
The glass-half full view: “The layoffs announced in recent weeks reverse a fraction of the hiring done lately.”
More workplace news: “Unemployed Americans Find Job Searches Take Longer as Labor Market Cools,” from The Wall Street Journal.
SIGH OF RELIEF:The primary two years of the Biden administration were dramatically higher for the unions representing the federal workforce than during former President Donald Trump’s term, Government Executive reports.
“American Federation of Government Employees National President Everett Kelley described the Biden administration as a ‘life raft’ after years of fighting for survival under the last administration. Pain points remain, nevertheless, particularly at agencies just like the Social Security Administration and the Veterans Affairs Department.”
Considered one of the primary points of contention within the Biden era were rules surrounding return-to-office policies — an area that Republicans within the House have vowed to scrutinize now that they’re back in power in Congress.
D.C. WANTS ITS FEDERAL WORKERS BACK: D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is criticizing the Biden administration’s continued hybrid-work arrangements for federal employees as draining the economic life out of the capital city, our Michael Schaffer reports.
“The issue, from the employees’ perspective, is that shoring up Metro’s funds or town’s repute isn’t really their job. … Or, as one unhappy HUD worker more colorfully put it to me: ‘I used to be not hired to be an economic engine.’”
More state news: “Ex-NYPD union boss admits theft of about $600,000 from union,” from The Associated Press.
A BIG OOPSIE: Immigration and Customs Enforcement released near 3,000 migrants after by chance disclosing their personal information late last 12 months, the Los Angeles Times reports.
“In late November, officials by chance posted to the agency’s website the names, birthdates, nationalities and detention locations of 6,252 immigrants who claimed to be fleeing torture and persecution. Immigrant advocates criticized the disclosure, saying it could put people in danger.”
A subset of those whose privacy was violated have already been deported back to their home country, though the U.S. said it will try and assist them seek asylum.
— Tech Layoffs Shock Young Staff. The Older People? Not So Much,” from The Recent York Times.
— “OPM Official Accused of Using N-Word, Sexual Harassment During His Tenure at Defense,” from Government Executive.
— “Trump’s agency relocations hurt staff experience, diversity, watchdog says,” from The Washington Post.
— “Don’t Fear the Handshake,” from The Atlantic.
— Startup Staff’ Dreams of Big Payouts Are Put On Hold,” from Bloomberg.
— CNH Industrial employees on strike since May approve latest deal,” from the Associated Press.
THAT’S ALL FOR SHIFT!