Labor News & Commentary February 4, Congressman Biggs introduces a bill to abolish OSHA & more

https://onlabor.org/february-4-2025/

By Anjali Katta

Anjali Katta is a student at Harvard Law School.

In today’s news and commentary King Soopers workers announce a strike, Congressman Biggs introduces a bill to abolish OSHA, the UAW announces willingness to support Trump’s tariffs, and Yale New Haven Health System faces a wage and hour class action.

Workers at unionized King Soopers stores, a grocery chain owned by Kroger, are set to begin a ULP strike after over four months of failed contract negotiations that began in October 2024. Around 10,000 workers at 77 locations, represented by UFCW Local 7, will strike for two weeks starting on February 6th. King Soopers workers allege that the company is attempting to force a new contract with worse terms despite issues with staffing and low wages. The overwhelming majority of workers—96%—voted to authorize the strike.

Republican Congressman Andy Biggs has introduced a bill to abolish OSHA. Titled “NOSHA”, the entirety of the bill reads “The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 is repealed. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is abolished.” In his press release, Congressman Biggs stated that OSHA, an agency signed into law by President Nixon, is an example of a “bloated federal government” and “should not have existed in the first place.” Some commentators, however, are skeptical about the bill’s ability to pass the House and the Senate and regard the move as a publicity stunt.

FULL story at link above.