Belabored Podcast #85: Joint Responsibilities, with Larry Engelstein

The National Labor Relations Board made news last week when it ruled to revise its definition of a joint employer to include many business owners who get their workers through a temp agency or subcontractor. We discussed what this means for workers with Larry Engelstein of SEIU 32BJ.

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The National Labor Relations Board made news (and made big businesses sad) last week with its ruling in the Browning-Ferris Industries case, which has to do with joint-employer status. In this decision, seen as a win for worker organizations, the Board ruled 3-2 to revise its definition of a joint employer to include many business owners who get their workers through a temp agency or subcontractor. To explain what this all means, for temp workers, their employers, McDonald’s employees and other franchise workers, we talk to Larry Engelstein, executive vice president and director of collective bargaining and employer relations at SEIU 32BJ.

We also hear from Rasheen Aldridge, St. Louis organizer and Ferguson commission member, on St. Louis’s move to raise the minimum wage, and look at strikes in India, the recent big win for home care workers’ rights, and a hunger strike to save a Chicago school.

News

Chicago Parents Enter Week 2 of Hunger Strike Protesting Corporate Ed Reform and Dyett HS Closure (In These Times)

I Can’t Stop Watching This Guy Disdainfully Refuse To Shake Rahm Emanuel’s Hand (In These Times)

Dyett hunger strikers taking their fight to Education Secretary Arne Duncan (Chicago Sun-Times)

Michelle: Home Healthcare Workers Haven’t Qualified for Minimum Wage for 80 Years. Now They Do. (The Nation)

Federal appeals court reinstates rules giving overtime, minimum wage to home care workers (Associated Press)

St. Louis Leaders Agree to Minimum Wage Increase to $11/hour (Associated Press)

Follow Rasheen Aldridge on Twitter

Ferguson Commission’s youngest member: ‘A lot of young people are feeling the pain’ (Guardian)

Indian workers strike over Modi labour reforms (BBC)

Commuters hit hard by trade unions’ strike (Times of India)

Millions strike in India over government labour reforms (Al Jazeera)