The National Labor Relations Board remains without a quorum, leaving key decisions and enforcement actions on hold. In the meantime, state legislatures across the country have introduced new labor laws that increase employer obligations — often in areas traditionally under federal oversight. These measures include bans on mandatory captive audience meetings, expanded unemployment benefits for striking workers, and broader jurisdiction for state labor boards.
Rhode Island became the latest state to ban mandatory “captive audience” meetings. Under the new law, employers cannot discharge, discipline, or otherwise penalize employees for refusal to attend employer-sponsored meetings regarding labor organizations or listen to related communications. Rhode Island joins 12 other states that have similar legislation, including California, Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey, and New York. The law is effective immediately.
Some state laws are facing legal challenges, however. For example, two entities are seeking to enjoin Illinois’ ban, claiming the law violates employers’ freedom of speech and is preempted by the...
Russian propaganda is spreading false statements that the account of the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, was allegedly created with...