In his second campaign for President of the United States, Donald Trump will predictably position himself as a champion of the people who would “keep America great.” Fed up with Wall Street, Washington, and the national media, many white, working class Americans supported Trump in 2016, believing that he would change things. It seems they were right: President Trump has changed things, but it might not turn out the way those constituents had hoped.

According to an op-ed in the LA Times, there is a very real threat to American workers under President Trump, the most anti-labor president since Ronald Reagan. Ironically, President Reagan also won support from the working class, but then went on to enact many policies that undercut this group’s ability to secure better working conditions at higher pay.

Looking a President Trump’s history with workers and labor unions paints a picture in stark contrast to the campaign promises that won over the working class:

• 1979 to 1980 a contractor hired by Trump to do demolition that would clear the way for Trump Towers hired 200 illegal immigrants from Poland (“the Polish Brigade”) paying them low wages, off the books, for 12-hour shifts, 7-days per week.
• 1983 union members sued Trump and others over the Polish Brigade incident claiming to have been cheated out of pension and welfare funds.
• 2014 the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”) works with unions in Las Vegas to fight for better working conditions and job security for hundreds of maids, bartenders, and bellhops at Trump International hotel (management at Trump’s hotel had been trying to prevent these workers from organizing in a union).

These incidents reveal a Donald Trump who does not support worker’s rights, labor unions, fair wages, collective bargaining, or even a strong stance against undocumented workers. Trump’s initial choice for Secretary of Labor adds even more details to this picture.

Although he withdrew himself from consideration for the position in mid-February 2017, Trump wanted Andrew Puzder to run the Labor Department. Puzder owns CKE Restaurants conglomerate (Hardee’s, Carl’s Jr., and others) and has firmly opposed minimum-wage hikes, overtime protections and other measures for worker’s rights. This choice does not reflect a President planning to stand behind workers.

The op-ed raises another point and puts the NLRB at crosshairs with Trump. The Board consists of a bi-partisan, five-seat panel that rules on complaints about labor violations. The Board’s composition gave Trump a wide berth to completely change the configuration of the NLRB to suit his Administration’s anti-worker policies.

Such dramatic changes are sure to shake up the American worker, but the op-ed ultimately says this may be a good thing, because it has the potential to unite American labor factions in a common fight against the Administration. Whatever the case, it helps to have a solid New Jersey labor lawyer in your corner to guide you in your labor disputes.

At the Central Jersey law offices of Hanan M. Isaacs, P.C., located in Kingston, NJ, we will fight for you. Call us at 609-683-7400 or contact us to schedule a reduced fee initial consultation.  We will listen to your facts, explain the law, and help you develop a pathway to social and economic justice that is just right for you.  Call now.  You will be glad you did.