David Sparkman

Alexandria, Washington, D.C.

Writer at Freelance

Radio DJ Dr. Zarkov, aka David Sparkman, communications professional and Tikiphile

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Articles

What to Do When ICE Shows Up

1 month ago | mhlnews.com | David Sparkman

NEWS ANALYSISAmid the swirl of events following the ascendence of the second Trump presidency, the reversal of the previous administration’s immigration policy means employers need to be fully aware of how enforcement has intensified and how they should respond.
Trump Attack on Independent Agencies Creates Confusion

1 month ago | mhlnews.com | David Sparkman

ANALYSIS & COMMENTARYPresident Donald Trump’s campaign to assert his presidential authority over the hiring and firing and daily management of independent federal agencies has created policymaking turmoil at the national level that is likely to be resolved only by the Supreme Court.
Trump Officials Warn Employers About Illegal DEI

1 month ago | ehstoday.com | David Sparkman

Ever since President Trump began issuing orders aimed at eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies and practices in the first days of his Administration, employers have wondered about how this will affect them directly.
NLRB Weakens Employer Rights

Jan 16, 2025 | mhlnews.com | David Sparkman

Late last year, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) handed down what is likely to be its last major decision before President Trump takes office and nominates two new members who will change the majority of the five board members from Democrat to Republican.
EEOC Limits Use of Wearable Tech

Jan 6, 2025 | ehstoday.com | David Sparkman

Just days before Christmas, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued a warning to employers regarding situations in which they require employees to use wearables in the workplace in circumstances where that requirement could be interpreted as breaking federal civil rights and disability laws. “Equal employment opportunity (EEO) laws may apply to employers’ use of wearable devices,” the commission’s Dec. 19, 2024, fact sheet warns.
Court Upends DOL Minimum Wage Changes

Nov 24, 2024 | mhlnews.com | David Sparkman

Employers who gave raises to supervisory personnel to meet the new wage levels that went into effect last July that were set by the Department of Labor (DOL) to meet new federal minimum wage standards are likely to be stuck with them although a federal court has struck down the rules, according to attorneys analyzing the decision. Last April DOL issued the final rule making the changes, which were declared illegal in their entirety on Nov. 14 by a federal district court in Texas.
Are Railroads Slowly Committing Suicide?

Oct 29, 2024 | popularresistance.org | David Sparkman

STB hearing reveals that extreme cost-cutting practices stymy industry growth. RWU Editor’s Note: STB Chairman Robert E. Primus isn’t mincing words: the rail industry has missed its shot at growth, thanks to the gospel of Precision Scheduled Railroading (PSR). Sold as the secret to efficiency, PSR has meant service cuts and cost-squeezing, leaving shippers disillusioned and more inclined to truck freight than to deal with rail’s broken promises.
Are Railroads Slowly Committing Suicide?

Oct 22, 2024 | mhlnews.com | David Sparkman

Commentary/AnalysisNorth America’s remaining six major freight railroads appear to be committing slow motion suicide, according to testimony offered by rail customers, industry analysts and labor to regulators on the Surface Transportation Board (STB) at two days of public hearings held last month. STB Chairman Robert E.
Agencies Agree to Insert Labor Issues Into M&A

Oct 10, 2024 | mhlnews.com | David Sparkman

The Biden administration is advancing its campaign to promote labor unions through joint actions of federal agencies with a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) between four top regulatory agencies to inject labor issues into the government approval process for corporate mergers and acquisitions (M&A) that fall under their jurisdictions.
Judge Stays FTC Ban on Non-Competes

Oct 2, 2024 | mhlnews.com | David Sparkman

An attempt by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to create and enforce national labor law came to a screeching halt when a federal court stayed the commission’s attempt to ban employers from imposing postemployment non-compete agreements for employees and independent contractors just days before it was to go into effect. On Aug.