Tentative agreement reached to prevent rail strike that could affect U.S. supply chain
At the time this was written, a tentative agreement was announced to avert a planned rail worker strike slated to begin at midnight Sept. 16. If an agreement is not finalized by this deadline, the U.S. could see a devastating rail strike, halting as much as 40% of the nation’s supply chains and 100% of commercial and passenger movement by rail. Even now, movement has slowed or stopped in preparation of a possible union worker strike. Union railroad workers have threatened to strike if their demands regarding pay and working conditions are not met; negotiations are stalled because of the issue of unpaid sick time. Although a majority of the 12 unions have reached tentative agreements, the largest two remain at a stalemate—the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and the SMART Transportation Division, which represent half of railroad union workers. That leaves roughly 60,000 workers ready to strike if a deal does not happen by Sept. 16. A strike is estimated to cost about $2 billion per day.
National Labor Relations Board seeks to expand the standard for determining joint employer status
On Sept. 7, the National Labor Relations Board issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that seeks to expand the standard for determining joint employer status under the National Labor Relations Act. This proposal would rescind a 2020 regulation that narrowed the definition of joint employer status to any employer that exercises substantial direct and immediate control over the essential terms and conditions of employment. This new proposal significantly would expand the joint employer definition to include any employer that “possesses the authority to control (whether directly, indirectly, or both), or exercises the power of control (whether directly, indirectly, or both), one or more of the employees’ essential terms and conditions of employment.” NRCA is reviewing the full proposed rule to determine potential effects on the roofing industry.
Public comments must be submitted on or before Nov. 7.
Inflation continues to rise despite expectations of cooling
On Sept. 13, the Bureau of Labor statistics released its monthly Consumer Price Index, a key measure of inflation. Unfortunately, the CPI increased 0.1% for the month and 8.3% during the past year. Excluding volatile food and energy costs, the CPI rose 0.6% from July and 6.3% from the same month in 2021.
Ukraine sees significant gains in counteroffensive against Russian forces
Earlier this week, Ukrainian forces recaptured territory from fleeing Russian troops, and experts say it could be a turning point in the war. Ukrainian officials reported Ukrainian forces had taken back more than 20 occupied towns in the country’s northeast region in one day as they continue to gain ground in the south. Ukraine’s counteroffensive, which began during the week of Sept. 5, has almost led its troops to the border with Russia—making it the worst setback for Russia since the first weeks of the war in March.
New Hampshire primary results
On Sept. 13, Republican primary voters in New Hampshire chose Retired Army Gen. Don Bolduc to run against incumbent Democrat Sen. Maggie Hassan in November. Bolduc defeated state Senate President Chuck Morse, who was Gov. Chris Sununu’s pick in this race, receiving significant help from groups aligned with Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell. Bolduc did not lock in an endorsement from former President Trump but maintains the 2020 presidential election was stolen. There also was a tough GOP primary in New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District with millennial Karoline Leavitt defeating Matt Mowers to take on incumbent Rep. Chris Pappas in his swing seat in November. Leavitt was backed by GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, and Mowers was backed by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and others in leadership.
The world mourns a fallen monarch—rest in peace, Queen Elizabeth II
On Sept. 8, the royal family announced Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, 96, died peacefully at her summer estate in Scotland. Her son Charles has become Britain’s first king since 1952 and has chosen to go by King Charles II. The queen’s funeral will take place in London Sept. 19, and a host of world leaders, royalty and other dignitaries will attend, including President Biden.
