Port strike coming to GC in '24?

Organized labor unions representing port workers, parcel deliverers, auto workers, writers/actors, teachers and others are securing or seeking to secure hefty salary increases by threatening to strike. 

Container shipping flows to the U.S. have been affected by labor negotiations this year and could be more affected by union action in 2024.

In June, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), which represents over 40,000 West Coast dockworkers, secured a new contract with a 32% pay raise. 

The next labor battlefield: Ports along the East and Gulf coasts. (Freight Wave 11/06/23) Crippling port strike could hit 1 month before presidential election (yahoo.com)

DoL recovers back wages for Miss. workers

Investigators with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division found the employer at its Arrington Assisted Living location in Columbus, Miss., which provides housing and nursing care, housekeeping and meal preparation services for older adults, failed to carry hours over from the beginning of a work week into the next pay period when compensating employees on a semi-monthly pay schedule.

By doing so, the employer did not pay employees the time-and-a-half rate due when the workweek hours split by the pay period totaled more than 40, as required by the Fair Labor Standards Act. 

Arrington Assisted Living also failed to compute a weighted average for employees paid two different pay rates in the same work week. By doing so, the employer paid some employees lower overtime rates for hours worked over 40. In addition, the employer failed to keep accurate pay records as required. 

In a 2022 investigation, the agency found the employer also violated the FLSA by failing to pay overtime premiums on shift differential bonuses and weight averages in overtime weeks at its Windsor Place Nursing Center location. 

Back Wages and Liquidated Damages Recovered: $59,417 for 64 workers.

Civil Money Penalties Assessed: $7,616. (Departmentn of Labor 11/10/23) Department of Labor recovers $59K in back wages for 64 Mississippi home care workers, assesses $7K in penalties to employer for repeat violations | U.S. Department of Labor (dol.gov)