The White House is expected to shed its pro-labor stance under President Donald Trump, who will likely reverse many of the protections enacted during his predecessor’s administration.
Organized labor experienced a surge in gains under President Joe Biden, with unionization filings reaching their highest level in a decade and breakthroughs at companies like Starbucks and Amazon.
However, experts say that Trump’s approach to regulation and enforcement is likely to be more favorable to employers who resist unionization. This could include repealing pro-worker National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) precedents, easing up on enforcing safety rules, narrowing eligibility for overtime pay, and making it harder for gig workers to gain status as employees.
Trump’s transition team has not commented on the changes, but labor experts say that a Trump DOL would likely reined in overtime eligibility, undo the rule on independent contractors, and reduce enforcement of child labor violations. Safety rules could also be affected, with some expecting delays or curtailment of investigations into employers who expose workers to health risks.
Despite these changes, experts argue that less sympathetic regulators won’t necessarily lead to a significant drop in labor activism. Workers may adapt their strategies, such as seeking voluntary recognition from universities or companies and protesting until they receive it.
The shift in labor policy under Trump is expected to have significant implications for workers, employers, and the broader economy.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/10/business/economy/trump-biden-labor-unions.html