A new proposal from the U-S Department of Labor would clearly define what it means to be an independent contractor. Currently, the Department of Labor s definition refers to independent contractors as, "workers who, as a matter of economic reality, are not economically dependent on their employer for work and are in business for themselves." A new definition would more clearly distinguish between them and regular employees, who are covered by more federal labor protections. Jack Fiorito, a distinguished professor at Florida State University, explained what the new definition would do. .
On Nebraska s ballot initiative to increase the state s minimum wage by $1.50 per year between 2023 and 2026, 60% of Nebraska midterm voters said "yes," which means the Nebraska minimum wage will reach $15 an hour by 2026. Ken Smith, economic justice program director for Nebraska Appleseed, one of 27 groups behind the Raise the Wage Nebraska coalition, acknowledged not everyone is pleased with the win. Smith said although some people feel a period of high inflation is a bad time to raise wages, coalition members believe the opposite is true. .
Faculty members at The New School have been on strike since Wednesday, seeking to negotiate a new contract with the school administration. Some 87% of the school staff is adjunct or part-time. Most are striking, and all five schools on the campus have shut down in solidarity. .