James Willem
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willempa.bsky.social
James Willem
@willempa.bsky.social
Employment and labor lawyer posting about the law and Pennsylvania courts. Formerly legal aid. KNVB fan. Allentown, by way of Boston, DC, Gujarat, New Haven, and Chicago, but Berkshires at heart.
Reposted by James Willem
Did you know?

#Canada has approximately 2,860 indoor hockey rinks and over 5,000 outdoor hockey rinks. (7,860) total

#USA has approximately 2,101 indoor hockey rinks and 500 outdoor hockey rinks. (2,601) Total
November 10, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Reposted by James Willem
Ons Jabeur announced on Instagram that she and her husband are expecting a baby boy in April!

(And she's already getting lots of love from her coworkers!)
November 10, 2025 at 7:26 PM
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As the proud daughter of a working class family, I am thrilled to win the support of my own union, the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America. @uaw.org #MA06
November 5, 2025 at 10:45 PM
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HUGE NEWS: @pghguild.com members at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette have won!

For 3 years, workers showed incredible solidarity and strength in the face of relentless and gross union-busting. Now, a court has ordered their contract restored. https://bit.ly/484XIc6
November 11, 2025 at 12:54 AM
Reposted by James Willem
UPDATE: The Senate votes 53-47 to shoot down the Baldwin amendment to extend ACA funds for 1 year. A party-line vote with every Republican rejecting it.
An important vote in this series: Tammy Baldwin’s proposal to extend ACA expiring funds for 1 year. It’s structured as a motion to table (i.e. scrap it from the amendment tree). But it’ll show the appetite (or lack thereof) in the Senate to address this issue.
November 11, 2025 at 12:38 AM
Reposted by James Willem
Today the Supreme Court heard a very, very technical case about whether a government contractors (in this case, private prison company GEO Group) should get essentially qualified immunity for contractors (I'm oversimplifying). The answer, it seems, will be no.
news.bloomberglaw.com/daily-labor-...
Justices Doubt Timing of Immunity Appeal in GEO Wage Case (1)
Several US Supreme Court justices appeared skeptical of GEO Group Inc.’s argument that it can immediately appeal a lower court’s rejection of its immunity defense to escape forced labor claims from im...
news.bloomberglaw.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:08 AM
Reposted by James Willem
LEAD CHANGE: Katie Wilson is now ahead of Mayor Harrell by... 91 votes.

That's out of ≈270K!

Seattle counted roughly 39K ballots today, & they broke in favor of Wilson by 11.4%, erasing the entirety of the incumbent's lead.
November 10, 2025 at 11:58 PM
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News: Senate reaches agreement to finish funding deal TONIGHT
November 10, 2025 at 10:17 PM
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Many feel betrayal and frustration, and the feelings are hot right now.

I get it. I have my own feelings.

🧵
November 10, 2025 at 8:40 PM
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THANK YOU to everyone who attended Fulci Fest at the Gap Theatre over the weekend! The energy and love for Fulci made it an unforgettable celebration of horror and community and it’s you, the fans who keep it thriving!
November 10, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Reposted by James Willem
🚨BREAKING: STRIKERS WIN!

The order affirms what we’ve said all along: The PG’s lawless union-busting cannot stand. We made sure it didn’t. We’re taking back what they stole from us. We won this strike.
November 10, 2025 at 5:53 PM
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ALLENTOWN - Learn more at www.apscuf.org/nov7rally.
November 8, 2025 at 4:44 AM
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Today is the day! Looking forward to standing up for higher ed across the state! Details: www.apscuf.org/nov7rally
November 7, 2025 at 2:39 PM
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In solidarity with Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh.

pghguild.com/2025/11/10/p...
3rd Circuit Court Orders Post-Gazette to Restore Workers' Rights
The U.S. 3rd Circuit Court orders the Post-Gazette to restore workers' rights after a lengthy strike, marking a pivotal victory for union members.
pghguild.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Reposted by James Willem
FIFA is selling parking spots near 2026 World Cup stadiums for between $75 & $175 per spot & per gameday.

A 2026 parking pass alone, at $75 in the group stage, costs more than a Category 3 ticket to any group match at the 2022 World Cup, which was $69.

More from @henrybushnell.bsky.social ⤵️
FIFA’s next 2026 World Cup cash cow: Exorbitant parking prices
If you're paying to park at 2026 World Cup matches it'll cost you more than some match tickets at previous editions of the tournament
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Reposted by James Willem
I keep alternating between shock, tears, and joy.

We fucking did it. We won.
BREAKING: We won!

Today the 3rd Circuit Court ordered the @post-gazette.com to restore our contract it illegally tore up 5 years ago. That’s our health care, PTO, right to a 40-hr. work week, short-term disability and so much more we’ve struck for 3+ years.

pghguild.com/2025/11/10/p...
November 10, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Reposted by James Willem
NEW: Dems easily flipped the sheriff's office in Pennsylvania's Bucks County, a big swing county in the Philly suburbs.

So? The incumbent GOP sheriff had contracted with ICE. His Dem challenger promised to end the contract.

Now he wants other swing-state Dems to look at his victory as a lesson:
Voters Ousted This Pennsylvania Sheriff After He Signed Up to Collaborate With ICE - Bolts
A populous, swing county replaced its GOP sheriff on Tuesday after months of controversy over his joining ICE’s 287(g) program. The Democratic winner promises he’ll end the contract.
boltsmag.org
November 10, 2025 at 7:12 PM
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incredibly funny that Joyce Carol Oates owned Musk so hard he's started trying to post like a regular person with normal interests
November 10, 2025 at 5:45 PM
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Sasha Suda, the recently ousted director of the Philadelphia Art Museum, is suing her former employer.

The suit says there was no "valid basis" for her dismissal, and seeks two years' worth of compensation and other damages.
Sasha Suda sues the Philadelphia Art Museum
The suit says there was no "valid basis" for her dismissal, and seeks two years' worth of compensation and other damages.
www.inquirer.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Reposted by James Willem
Bluesky, a reintroduction!

I’m an investigative reporter @chicagotribune.com covering big stories. Now focused on immigration. But I’ll take any tips about people being hurt by government, junk science, healthcare, business or anybody else. Reach out gpratt@chicagotribune.com or Signal grp.27
November 10, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Reposted by James Willem
Can you help us finish this fight and cover bills that’ve piled up over more than 3 years on strike? Donations go directly to striking workers’ families to cover essentials like rent, groceries and emergency expenses: www.unionprogress.com/donate/
November 10, 2025 at 5:48 PM
This is such f'ing good news

Also, don't miss out on the part of the opinion explaining how the Post-Gazette's expensive lawyers (Littler Mendelson) screwed up and waived its challenge to the remedy by failing to propely raise the issue at the Board level.
BREAKING: We won!

Today the 3rd Circuit Court ordered the @post-gazette.com to restore our contract it illegally tore up 5 years ago. That’s our health care, PTO, right to a 40-hr. work week, short-term disability and so much more we’ve struck for 3+ years.

pghguild.com/2025/11/10/p...
November 10, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Reposted by James Willem
BIG NEWS OUTTA PITTSBURGH 🔥
BREAKING: We won!

Today the 3rd Circuit Court ordered the @post-gazette.com to restore our contract it illegally tore up 5 years ago. That’s our health care, PTO, right to a 40-hr. work week, short-term disability and so much more we’ve struck for 3+ years.

pghguild.com/2025/11/10/p...
November 10, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Reposted by James Willem
Recount confirms that New Hampshire Republicans very narrowly came out on top in Tuesday special election for state House. Democrat Corinne Cascadden netted 9 votes but still lost by 5 to Republican Marc Tremblay. Trump won it 52-48 last year.
November 10, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Reposted by James Willem
BREAKING: We won!

Today the 3rd Circuit Court ordered the @post-gazette.com to restore our contract it illegally tore up 5 years ago. That’s our health care, PTO, right to a 40-hr. work week, short-term disability and so much more we’ve struck for 3+ years.

pghguild.com/2025/11/10/p...
November 10, 2025 at 5:48 PM