Workers' rights & well-being

Hollywood sign at sunset

California passes two new bills protecting actors and performers against AI

| By | -, Change Milestones

In a potentially precedent-setting moment for tech legislation across the country, the new laws not only bolster those existing protections but extend them to everyone in California — not just to people working in front of a camera in Hollywood, as IndieWire notes. Together, the bills make it illegal to use an AI-generated digital replica of an actor’s likeness or voice — or technically, any Californian’s — without their explicit consent. Studios will also be prohibited from cloning deceased actors unless they have permission from their estates.

California passes two new bills protecting actors and performers against AI Read more

Australian employees now have the right to ignore work emails and calls after hours

| By | -, Change Milestones

The new rule means employees, in most cases, cannot be punished for refusing to read or respond to contacts from their employers outside work hours. Australians worked on average 281 hours of unpaid overtime in 2023, according to a survey last year by the Australia Institute, which estimated the monetary value of the labor at $88 billion USD. The changes add Australia to a group of roughly two dozen countries, mostly in Europe and Latin America, which have similar laws.

Australian employees now have the right to ignore work emails and calls after hours Read more

Mickey and Minnie Mouse at Disneyland

Disneyland unions agree to ‘historic’ 31% pay raise

| By | -, Change Milestones

Master Services Council, which represents 14,000 Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, and Downtown Disney employees from four unions, announced its members had voted to accept a new contract that provides a 31% pay raise over the next three years.
The “biggest wage increases ever” for Disneyland resort employees will raise hourly pay more than $6 over three years from the current $19.90 to $24 in 2024 and $26 in 2026, according to the unions.

Disneyland unions agree to ‘historic’ 31% pay raise Read more

Belgian flag

Belgian sex workers to get health insurance, pensions and maternity leave in world first

| By | -, Change Milestones

The law makes it legal to give prostitutes employment contracts, after Belgium became the first country in Europe to decriminalize self-employed sex work in 2022. It bestows certain rights on the worker and conditions on their employer. These include the right to refuse a client or a sexual act, as well as the right to interrupt a sexual act at any time without fear of dismissal or punishment.

Belgian sex workers to get health insurance, pensions and maternity leave in world first Read more

Person holding "I'm sticking with my union" sign

Michigan’s historic “right-to-work” repeal goes into effect

| By | -, Change Milestones

Last March, the Michigan legislature passed the bill to toss the law aimed at hurting labor unions by allowing workers to opt out of union dues while still reaping benefits of unionization, costing unions resources and money. Pro-labor groups have celebrated the law’s repeal, saying that it was a victory “decades in the making” as unions and labor advocates have fought against the law.

Michigan’s historic “right-to-work” repeal goes into effect Read more

Start typing and press enter to search