Striking West Virginia educators are inspiring teachers across the country; U.S. appeals court rules that bias laws also prohibit workplace discrimination against transgender people; Austin extends its new paid sick leave rule to city temp workers; and congressional Democrats introduce legislation to protect workers’ tips.
Affordable Care Act
Trump’s new short-term health plan could destabilize the ACA market (which is probably the point)
For now, it seems congressional leadership has given up on a full-throated repeal of the Affordable Care Act. Their new, less-visible repeal strategy is just ignoring the health reform law altogether.
The Teamsters get ready to become a ‘sanctuary union’; a Florida bill would protect immigrant workers injured on the job; low-wage workers return to the streets to fight for $15; and the death of a social worker highlights the risks of occupational violence.
Linda Reinstein refuses to give up in the fight for a U.S. ban on asbestos. She delivered 11,000 petitions to Congress and listened to EPA administrator Pruitt testify about an industry that continues to import asbestos.
An Oklahoma rehab center funnels forced free labor into private industry; the National Labor Relations Board reconsiders Obama-era union election rules; farmworkers at risk from California’s wildfire smoke; and domestic workers organize for greater labor rights in Seattle.
Government
Advocates: Trump’s proposed budget cuts are a ‘white flag of surrender’ in global HIV/AIDS fight
On the day before World AIDS Day, the White House put out a statement saying “we reaffirm our ongoing commitment to end AIDS as a public health threat.” Advocates are waiting — and hoping for — that same sentiment to materialize into policy.
Local efforts help California nail salons create healthier working conditions; California court ruling a win for farm workers and labor unions; Milwaukee institutes new safety measures after a city employee is shot and killed; and flight attendants chronicle sexual harassment in the skies.
Affordable Care Act
Want to repeal the ACA without actually repealing the ACA? Gut the individual mandate.
In unsurprising but equally as disappointing news, Republicans in Congress are trying yet again to take affordable health care access away from millions of their fellow Americans. Here’s what it means for you. Yet again.
U.S. Chemical Safety Board considers withdrawing retaliation protections for offshore oil workers; unions re-examine their role in the wake of sexual harassment revelations; America’s fastest-growing jobs are also among the lowest-paying jobs; and migrant women continue to face exploitation on the job.
The Steelworkers union is challenging the Trump administration’s plan to diminish mine safety improvements and a 1969 law is on their side.