Trump Judge Shoots Down Major Pro-Worker Reform

A federal judge appointed by former President Donald Trump delivered a big win for business lobbies on Friday by shooting down a new federal rule that could make it easier for fast-food and other workers to organize.

U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker of the Eastern District of Texas issued an order vacating what’s known as the National Labor Relations Board’s “joint-employer” rule, saying the agency went too far in issuing it. Employers groups had filed a lawsuit in hopes of blocking the regulation from taking effect.

The joint-employer rule would make it easier for workers and unions to hold big companies like McDonald’s responsible for unfair labor practices involving their franchisees or subcontractors, or even to force those companies to the bargaining table. The rule is a top priority for the Democratic majority at the NLRB, which oversees union elections and referees collective-bargaining disputes.

Unions and businesses have tussled for years over whether fast-food chains and other companies that use subcontractors should be considered “joint employers” under the law. Labor advocates say the franchise and contracting arrangements just help powerful companies skirt their obligations to workers, foisting them off onto franchisees and other smaller businesses.

The NLRB’s proposed rule would make it easier for workers to argue that a company like McDonald’s is the one setting the working conditions, not just the no-name franchisee who signs the paychecks.

Lauren McFerran, the NLRB’s chair, said in a statement that the agency was weighing its next steps given the order.

“The District Court’s decision to vacate the board’s rule is a disappointing setback, but is not the last word on our efforts to return our