The Detroit News’ Post

While Biden and Trump battle over the loyalties of big unions, who champions the 130 million nonunion workers in the US? tldr: no one. My latest in Fortune calling for a candidate willing to champion America's most vulnerable. https://lnkd.in/gEvZjy-X I discuss in detail how US labor law disparately treats nonunion workers by killing their ability to agitate and aggregate, and call for concrete doctrinal and legislative changes, in my forthcoming UC Irvine Law Review piece, "Labor Strife and Peace," available in draft form at https://lnkd.in/gug2BxbM.

The labor movement is rightfully celebrating recent contract victories by the United Auto Workers, Teamsters, SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild of America, which together cover nearly 650,000 workers. An essential thread uniting the campaigns is that the top union officers were all directly elected by the members, a basic democratic right denied to many union members in the United States. As other unions seek to learn lessons from these historic contract fights, a key takeaway is that a vibrant democratic process—“one member, one vote”—is crucial to a revitalized labor movement. https://lnkd.in/ehhVW5Yx

Democrats Rally Unions on Labor Day Campaign Labor Day was action-packed for Democrats. They worked tirelessly to connect with union workers in key swing states. Vice President Kamala Harris, President Joe Biden, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz were all on the campaign trail, showing strong support for American workers and unions. Kamala Harris made headlines in Pittsburgh by stating that US Steel should remain domestically owned. She emphasized that this is "vital for our nation." Her stance aligns with President Biden’s opposition to a possible sale of US Steel to Nippon Steel, a Japanese company. Harris also pledged to push for the "PRO Act," which aims to protect workers’ rights to form unions and negotiate for better conditions—a significant win for the labor community. Soon, she will unveil more of her economic plans, focusing on small businesses and innovation. President Biden joined Harris in Pittsburgh, a city he has visited often in his career. He emphasized his deep connections to Pennsylvania and his long history of supporting unions. Biden called for higher tariffs to protect American manufacturing, reinforcing his pro-labor position. He also celebrated his previous efforts to support union workers. Meanwhile, Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota faced a dramatic moment. Several vehicles in his motorcade crashed on the way to a Milwaukee event. Thankfully, Walz was unharmed and made it to the event. There, he passionately defended unions and workers' rights. Walz's commitment to collective bargaining and fair working conditions was clear as he rallied the crowd. While Democrats actively engaged with voters, former President Donald Trump stayed mostly out of the spotlight. He had no scheduled events but spoke about the U.S. seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s plane, criticizing the current administration's policies. As the campaign intensifies, both parties are gearing up for next week's debate, a critical event before the election. With Biden backing Harris and both focused on battleground states like Pennsylvania, Democrats are preparing for a tough fight. Trump and his running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, have been relatively quiet, but their next steps will be closely watched. The election season is heating up. Both parties are vying for American voters' support. The coming weeks are sure to bring more surprises and pivotal moments. #Election2024 #LaborDay #Democrats #KamalaHarris #JoeBiden #UnionSupport #CampaignTrail Follow us for more stories: www.shesightmag.com

📢#UAW Filed Charges Against #Trump & #Musk 📢🇺🇸❤️🤍💙 #UAW filed charges against Trump & Elon Musk at this critical time in the 2024 election. Large national labor unions, like International Union, UAW & National Nurses United prepare to make their calls in all 50 states tomorrow, reaching out to voters to confirm registration & voting plans. Other highly influential labor unions, such as the International Brotherhood of Teamsters & International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), are still voting internally for their official Presidential endorsement. The list of labor unions who endorse Harris-Walz is growing quickly in all 50 States as Labor Unions clearly see that Trump-Vance & Trump-affiliated SCOTUS justices are an overt threat to #NLRA #legal #protection for union workers to bargain for sustainable working conditions for ALL. #UnionStrong #NLRA #RightsForAll GZERO Media / Eurasia Group The New York Times CNN MSNBC CBS News CNBC Democracy Now! Productions NBC News NPR PBS News The Washington Post USA TODAY TIME Newsweek The Atlantic Reuters News Agency 60 MINUTES Google News Apple News WEDU PBS WUCF WHYY WQED Multimedia WOSU Public Media Detroit PBS Wtvs Detroit Public Television Wkar-Tv PBS North Carolina Arizona PBS Cronkite News WMVS-TV TPT - Twin Cities PBS Vegas PBS KNPB TV New Hampshire PBS

Yesterday's anti-union statement by six governors (AL, GA, MS, SC, TN, & TX) clearly shows how scared they are that workers organizing with International Union, UAW to improve jobs and wages will upend the highly unequal, failed anti-worker economic development model of Southern states. As EPI’s Jen Sherer put it recently: “Lucky for all of us, Southern workers don’t have to let any Republican governor have the final word on their economic futures.” ✊ Check out the full op-ed here: https://lnkd.in/gDFP2pmQ Southern politicians trying to use state power to suppress wages & block workers’ path to a union contract is nothing new. For a deeper look at this divisive Southern economic development model and how it hurts workers, check out Chandra Childers' report: https://lnkd.in/eVC_iX-y

As the 2024 election nears, labor unions' role in protecting democracy is vital. The recent successes of the United Auto Workers (UAW), such as adopting "one member, one vote" and successful organizing in the South, show unions as key to democracy. Data associate union density with higher voter turnout and fewer voting restrictions, demonstrating unions' potential for democratic participation and social transformation. However, outdated labor laws hinder this potential, as seen in the UAW's recent loss at Mercedes-Benz due to union-busting. We must update our outdated labor laws easing unions ability to organize, and pass the PRO Act. My piece for the Cornell Policy Review: https://lnkd.in/dTp7F-sw

When politics and labor unions intersect, the map gets redrawn in fascinating ways. Former President Donald Trump’s audacious move to invite the Teamsters’ president Sean O’Brien to speak at the Republican National Convention is nothing short of a strategic power play. Let’s break it down. - Firstly, it’s a bold acknowledgment that labor interests do not have to align traditionally along party lines. By giving O’Brien a platform, Trump is suggesting common ground exists even with traditionally Democratic-aligned entities. - This decision is already sparking controversy, especially among conservative groups opposing labor unions. However, this might be part of a broader plan. Trump may be aiming to widen his base and appeal to blue-collar workers who feel left behind by the modern political landscape. - There's potential here for a major realignment in the labor vote. If Trump’s gamble pays off, we could witness Republicans making significant inroads into traditional Democratic territories during future elections. - On O’Brien's part, his willingness to address both the Republicans and Democrats shows a pragmatic approach to labor politics. It's less about party allegiance and more about advancing workers' interests, no matter who’s in power. One word of caution: fireworks are inevitable. This alliance

Labor Day was an important reminder that labor unions play a vital role in promoting democracy by giving workers a collective voice. Unions empower employees to have a say in workplace decisions and hold employers accountable. This election season, we must take inspiration from organized labor and actively participate in preserving our democratic principles. Voting is the first step, but real change requires ongoing involvement in strengthening our democratic institutions. Let’s unite, build relationships, and ensure that every voice is heard, both at the ballot box and in our communities. #union #unions #organizedlabor #democracy https://lnkd.in/gF5JZcfR

Labor Union Members: Do NOT Vote Against Your Own Self-Interest You are individuals who must carefully consider your choices. Before voting, think twice about whether you're truly voting in your best interest. The chart below shows a clear comparison: one administration stood by you, supporting blue-collar workers, while the other handed rights over to white-collar interests. It’s essential to see who worked for you and who undermined your rights. This chart outlines the key differences between the Trump administration and the Biden-Harris administration regarding labor unions, worker protections, and labor rights. It highlights how their policies have affected union power, worker benefits, and overall support for organized labor. https://lnkd.in/eQckapWn

With so much unfolding around labor, the upcoming election, and the future of work, I’ve decided to start a Substack to share my thoughts and dive into these issues more deeply. My first piece is up now, timely given the recent Longshoremen strike suspension. This strike was about more than paychecks—it’s a pivotal moment that underscores the clash between technology and the future of labor. If these topics resonate with you, I’d be grateful if you considered subscribing to follow along and join the conversation. I look forward to exploring these critical issues together. Check out the first op-ed here ⤵ #Labor #Work #Union #Election #Tech