Labor

Should inflation be added to the list of things disrupted by tech? For years, we’ve accepted the integrity of the idea of the Phillips curve: that as unemployment declines, wages rise and companies pass along those increased labor costs in the form of price hikes on goods and services. Inflation. But as unemployment has declined […]

Thousands of high school seniors graduating this month will begin the process of choosing a career, or at least thinking about one.  The Boy Scouts of America, through its coed career development program, aims to align those choices with future in-demand jobs. But a new BSA survey produced a surprising result — young people aren’t […]

New York freelancers who have trouble getting paid on time, or sometimes at all, have a new law on their side. The “Freelance Isn’t Free” Act went into effect this week. It’s the first law in the country to protect independent contractors from getting stiffed.  Click the audio player above to hear the full story.

Spirit Airlines is in the spotlight this week after cancelled flights led to a near riot at its hub in Fort Lauderdale. The discount airline blamed “unlawful labor activity” by the pilots during contract negotiations, with their refusal to work some flights causing hundreds of cancellations. The union has denied the accusation but says its […]

Republicans in the House of Representatives have just passed a bill that would allow employers to give workers paid time off instead of the time and a half normally paid as overtime. The legislation, called the “Working Families Flexibility Act,” is being touted by the GOP as way to provide more options for workers. Opponents […]

Today is May Day, when labor unions and other groups traditionally march in favor of workers’ rights. Immigrant rights is expected to be a major focus this year as President Trump pursues a tougher line on immigration. Click the audio player above to hear the full story.