In a conversation with The Regulatory Review, Kate Andrias discusses novel state worker-protection initiatives, federal preemption of state labor law, constitutional challenges to federal labor law, and obstacles to labor organizing. You can find the original interview here.
The Regulatory Review: What are worker standards boards, what purpose do they serve, and what distinguishes them from more familiar regulatory bodies?
Worker standards boards—also called sectoral or industry committees or councils—are tripartite bodies that bring together workers, employers, and public representatives to develop minimum standards for a particular industry or occupation. Depending on their authorizing statute, they might address wages, benefits, scheduling, safety, training, or other working conditions. Unlike conventional administrative bodies, these boards give affected workers and employers a formal role in governance. Properly designed, boards can achieve several goals: They can raise labor standards across an entire industry, occupation, or economic sector; provide greater voice to workers and employers in how their industry runs; and make administrative process more democratic and participatory. They also can provide a focal point for collective action by workers—particularly in highly fissured, low-wage industries where worksite-by-worksite organizing is difficult.
TRR: Why have worker standards boards and pro-labor state constitutional amendments both advanced at the state and...
A Wixom, Michigan, business accused of making false statements to obtain a loan has agreed to pay a settlement of just over $1.5 million after it was sued by the federal government, according to th...