US Labor Movement News

500-Member NYC Public Defender Union Ends Strike

Law360· July 23, 2026

The Brooklyn Defender Services Union announced a tentative agreement on July 22, ending a six-day strike by approximately 500 attorneys, social workers, paralegals, and investigators who represent low-income defendants in Brooklyn and Queens. The deal includes higher wage floors, increased retirement contributions, and healthcare protections, but two other NYC public defender unions — the Bronx Defenders and Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem — have authorized or set deadlines for their own strikes.

Union workers at Mount Nittany Medical Center in State College appear set to strike next week

WPSU· July 23, 2026

Roughly 950 workers at Mount Nittany Medical Center in State College, Pa., represented by SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania, are set to begin a five-day strike on July 27 after contract negotiations ended in a stalemate, with both sides far apart on wage increases. The union also filed two NLRB complaints against hospital management for what it called 'coercive statements' made during the dispute.

D.C. Circuit Strikes Down NLRB Successor Bar Doctrine

National Law Review· July 22, 2026

In a 2-1 ruling on July 21, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit invalidated the NLRB's 'successor bar' rule, which had required new business owners to recognize and bargain with an inherited union for up to one year even without demonstrated majority support. Applying the Supreme Court's post-Chevron Loper Bright standard, the court found the rule exceeded the Board's statutory authority under the National Labor Relations Act, a decision that could open the door to broader judicial rollback of NLRB precedent.

EDNY strikes down state labor board law; D.C. Circuit applies Loper Bright to NLRB; Joint employer bill reaches the House floor

OnLabor· July 22, 2026

A federal judge in the Eastern District of New York struck down a New York law that had allowed the state's labor board to govern private-sector workers when the NLRB lacked a quorum, ruling it was preempted by the NLRA. Separately, the House Education and Workforce Committee advanced the American Franchise Act on a party-line vote, which would codify a narrow 'direct and immediate control' standard for joint employer status under both the NLRA and FLSA.

Public defenders group serving Brooklyn and Queens ends strike

Gothamist· July 22, 2026

A six-day strike by roughly 500 attorneys, social workers, and support staff at Brooklyn Defender Services — the city's second-largest public defender organization — ended after management reached a tentative agreement with the union on Tuesday night. Workers represented by ALAA, a UAW affiliate, had walked off the job on July 16 over pay, benefits, and remote work; the tentative deal is pending ratification, and other NYC legal service providers with Neighborhood Defender Services of Harlem and the Bronx Defenders have also passed strike authorization votes.

Brooklyn Defender Services strike ends after tentative labor deal reached

Queens Daily Eagle· July 22, 2026

Unionized members of Brooklyn Defender Services, representing about 500 attorneys and legal staffers in Brooklyn and Queens, ended a five-day strike after reaching a tentative contract agreement that includes pay increases, more sick leave, higher retirement contributions, and remote work options. The resolution came as two other New York City public defender organizations — The Bronx Defenders and Neighborhood Defender Services of Harlem — were still pressing toward their own strike deadlines.

American Franchise Act Moves Toward Full House Vote

FranchiseWire· July 22, 2026

The House Education and Workforce Committee voted 23-18 along party lines to advance the American Franchise Act to the full House, a bill that would codify a narrow definition of 'joint employer' into federal law and reduce franchisors' liability for labor violations committed by their franchisees. If passed, the legislation would cement a looser standard than Biden-era NLRB rules and significantly curtail workers' ability to hold parent franchise companies accountable in organizing and bargaining disputes.

Mount Nittany healthcare workers to strike Monday

Altoona Mirror· July 22, 2026

Negotiations between Mount Nittany Medical Center and SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania collapsed Tuesday evening, confirming a five-day strike set to begin July 27 — the first at the facility since 2004. Roughly 950 workers including nurses, technicians, and support staff voted 98% to authorize the strike over wages they say fail to keep pace with inflation at one of Pennsylvania's most profitable hospitals.

DC Circuit Strikes Down NLRB Successor Bar in Major Post-Loper Bright Ruling

National Law Review· July 22, 2026

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled 2-1 on July 21 that the NLRB's longstanding 'successor bar' doctrine — which required new business owners to recognize and bargain with an inherited union for up to a year — is unlawful and beyond the Board's statutory authority. The ruling applies the Supreme Court's Loper Bright decision and signals that the D.C. Circuit will no longer defer to NLRB policy judgments, potentially opening dozens of other Board doctrines to fresh legal challenge.

Brooklyn Defenders strike ends after tentative agreement

Brooklyn Eagle· July 22, 2026

A six-day strike by the union at Brooklyn Defender Services — covering hundreds of lawyers, social workers, and support staff representing indigent clients in Brooklyn and Queens — ended Tuesday night after management reached a tentative deal with the ALAA/UAW-affiliated union. The agreement is pending ratification by members, who had walked out July 16 over wages, benefits, and remote work after a 21-hour bargaining session failed to produce a contract.

As Strike Looms, Negotiations Between Mount Nittany, Unionized Workers Remain Deadlocked

StateCollege.com· July 22, 2026

With the July 27 strike deadline less than a week away, Mount Nittany Medical Center and SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania failed once again to reach a contract agreement, with the union rejecting the hospital's revised one-year offer including a 3% wage increase and $1,000 ratification bonus. Workers and the union argue the offer does not keep pace with inflation at what they describe as the fourth most profitable hospital in Pennsylvania.

Mount Nittany healthcare workers to strike Monday

Altoona Mirror· July 22, 2026

Negotiations between Mount Nittany Medical Center and SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania ended in a stalemate on Tuesday, confirming that a five-day strike by approximately 950 workers will begin July 27. The key sticking point is wages — the hospital's final offer was 3% in year one followed by 2% in years two and three, while the union is seeking 5.75%, 4.5%, and 4%.

Federal judge deals win to Amazon by blocking New York's NLRB trigger law

amNewYork· July 21, 2026

U.S. District Judge Eric Komitee of the Eastern District of New York permanently struck down a 2025 state law that had empowered New York's Public Employment Relations Board to step in and handle private-sector labor disputes when the NLRB lacked a quorum to act. The ruling, which followed a lawsuit by Amazon, held that the state law was preempted by federal labor law under a 1959 Supreme Court precedent.

MultiCare Capital Medical Center Professionals ratify first union contract

UFCW 3000· July 21, 2026

Newly organized professional employees at MultiCare Capital Medical Center ratified their first union contract, joining a wave of first-contract wins at Pacific Northwest healthcare facilities represented by UFCW 3000. The ratification came the same week as first-contract ratifications at Super 1 Ellensburg grocery and Payless Foods.

Bronx Public Defenders Set Strike Deadline

Law360· July 21, 2026

More than 300 unionized workers at The Bronx Defenders set a July 27 strike deadline after contract negotiations broke down over wages, with management offering only 3% annual raises for investigators, advocates, administrators, and social workers. The deadline comes as Brooklyn Defender Services reached a tentative deal ending its five-day strike, and Neighborhood Defender Services of Harlem set its own July 24 strike deadline — meaning three of five UAW-affiliated legal aid locals in New York City are now striking or threatening to.

JTRAN union, MV Transportation agree to mediation as bus strike enters into second week

WLBT· July 21, 2026

ATU Local 1208 bus drivers in Jackson, Mississippi, now in their second week of a strike against contractor MV Transportation, agreed with management to bring in a federal mediator, with talks scheduled for July 31. The walkout — the second in three years for the 60-plus member local — has severely disrupted service for low-income and disabled residents, and the union has filed unfair labor practice charges against MV.

Boeing, SPEEA optimistic over contract talks, so far

Leeham News and Analysis· July 21, 2026

Boeing and the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA), representing about 17,000 engineers and technical workers, are reporting an unusually positive atmosphere in early contract talks — the first full negotiations between the two sides in 14 years. Economic issues including wages and benefits have not yet been addressed; Boeing's opening monetary offer is expected within weeks as the contract's October 6 expiration approaches.

JTRAN union, MV Transportation agree to mediation as bus strike enters into second week

WLBT· July 21, 2026

ATU Local 1208 bus drivers in Jackson, Mississippi — on strike since July 13 over low pay, sick leave, and allegations of bad-faith bargaining by contractor MV Transportation — have agreed with management to bring in a federal mediator, with a session scheduled for July 31. The strike has disrupted transit for low-income and disabled riders, and MV Transportation has deployed out-of-state replacement drivers.

Another NYC Public Defense Union Sets Strike Deadline

Law360 Employment Authority· July 20, 2026

The Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem union announced that its more than 230 members would walk off the job if no deal was reached by Friday at 8 a.m., making it the latest NYC legal aid union to set a strike deadline. The NDS union authorized the strike July 9 with a 97% vote in favor, and is part of the UAW-affiliated ALAA representing 3,500-plus legal services workers.

News & Commentary: July 20, 2026

OnLabor· July 20, 2026

OnLabor's daily roundup covers the active Brooklyn Defender Services strike alongside the SIFF Cinema Workers Union walkout in Seattle, providing legal context and noting that the Neighborhood Defender Services of Harlem and the Bronx Defenders have also passed strike authorization votes, raising the prospect of a widening public defense sector labor action across New York City. The roundup also flags the NYC City Council's hearing on a horse carriage ban opposed by TWU Local 100.

Sherrod Brown Election Staffers in Ohio Ratify Contract

UFCW For Local Unions· July 20, 2026

Campaign staffers working on Sherrod Brown's Ohio political effort ratified a union contract through UFCW, the latest in a string of political campaign worker organizing wins. The ratification, announced today, reflects continued growth of union representation among campaign and electoral workers.

Boeing's opening offer to SPEEA imminent

Leeham News and Analysis· July 19, 2026

Boeing is expected to present its first economic offer to SPEEA — the union representing roughly 17,000 engineers and technical workers — as early as this week, with contracts for both bargaining units expiring October 6. The talks, the first full contract negotiations between Boeing and SPEEA in 14 years, come in the shadow of the 2024 IAM machinists' 53-day strike and are seen as a test of CEO Kelly Ortberg's pledge to reset Boeing's labor relations.

SIFF keeps theaters open amid walkout, unionized workers to continue walkout Saturday

KOMO News· July 18, 2026

Thirteen unionized workers at the Seattle International Film Festival's cinemas walked off the job ahead of a sold-out 70mm screening of Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey,' with the walkout continuing through the weekend after contract talks stalled over wages, health benefits, and staffing. The SIFF Cinema Workers Union, which has been working without a contract since April, also filed an unfair labor practice charge with the NLRB alleging bad-faith bargaining by management.

Public Defenders Go On Strike In New York City

Law360· July 17, 2026

Hundreds of public defenders, social workers, and staff attorneys at Brooklyn Defender Services walked off the job after failing to reach a new contract agreement, with the Bronx Defenders and Neighborhood Defender Services of Harlem also voting to authorize strikes. The Brooklyn Defender Services union, part of the UAW-affiliated Association of Legal Advocates and Attorneys representing more than 3,500 workers across NYC, has been without a contract since the end of June.

Brooklyn Defender Services staff strike after talks collapse

The Chief· July 17, 2026

The Chief's deep-dive into the BDS strike reveals that management locked striking employees out of their email accounts early Thursday morning and replaced individualized out-of-office messages — which workers had prepared to help clients — with a generic notice, drawing a new union allegation of bad-faith conduct. No additional bargaining sessions had been scheduled as of Friday, and ALAA chapters at two other public defender organizations are weighing whether to join the walkout.

SIFF Cinema Downtown workers walk out before 'The Odyssey' showings

Seattle Times / Yakima Herald· July 17, 2026

The Seattle Times broke the story of the SIFF Cinema Workers Union walkout, reporting that 13 union members walked out across all SIFF venues around 2 p.m. Friday ahead of a sold-out 70mm screening, following a Thursday night vote to authorize collective action over alleged bad-faith bargaining. The union's first contract expired in April and the walkout coincided with the opening weekend of one of the year's most anticipated films, raising the public profile of the dispute.

NLRB Case Closed In Dispute That Yielded High Court Ruling

Law360· July 17, 2026

The NLRB formally closed its underlying case in the strike dispute that generated the Supreme Court's 2023 refinement of federal labor preemption doctrine after the parties reached a settlement. The closure is the final administrative step in a years-long dispute that had significant implications for when states can apply their own labor laws to conduct already covered by the NLRA.

NLRB dismisses Healthy Living's bid to overturn union election

WCAX· July 16, 2026

The NLRB dismissed Vermont grocery chain Healthy Living's appeal of union elections at all three of its stores in South Burlington, Williston, and Saratoga Springs, New York, clearing the way for collective bargaining with Workers United. Workers had voted to unionize in April by a 105-69 margin, but the company challenged the results and sought a new election, a step union organizers said was unprecedented given the clear margin of victory.

Brooklyn and Queens public defenders, social workers go on strike

Brooklyn Eagle· July 16, 2026

Over 500 unionized attorneys, social workers, and legal staff at Brooklyn Defender Services — which represents 40,000 low-income clients a year — walked off the job after a 21-hour marathon bargaining session failed to produce a new contract. The strike could expand significantly, as ALAA-UAW chapters at both the Bronx Defenders and Neighborhood Defender Services of Harlem have also passed strike authorization votes, potentially putting 950+ public defenders on the picket line.

JTRAN union workers enter fourth day of strike

WJTV· July 16, 2026

ATU Local 1208 bus drivers in Jackson, Mississippi, entered their fourth consecutive day on strike against MV Transportation, with the union reporting that management had still not agreed to meet to discuss worker grievances. Local news coverage documented the impact on disabled and low-income residents who depend on the city transit system, with disability advocate Scott Crawford warning there would be 'no winner' in the standoff.

University of Chicago Press Workers Overwhelmingly Vote to Form Union

AFL-CIO Worker Wins· July 16, 2026

Staff at the University of Chicago Press voted overwhelmingly to join the Chicago News Guild (TNG-CWA Local 34071) under the name University of Chicago Press Workers Guild, organizing to secure fair wages, manageable workloads, and workplace transparency at one of the largest university presses in the country. The win adds to a wave of publishing-sector union elections in recent weeks.

NLRB dismisses Healthy Living's bid to overturn union election

WCAX· July 16, 2026

The NLRB dismissed Vermont grocery chain Healthy Living's appeal seeking a new election, certifying the April vote in which workers at all three stores chose Workers United by a 105-69 margin. The board ruled Healthy Living failed to present evidence strong enough to overcome the voting margin, clearing the way for collective bargaining to begin.

Healthy Living union election certified despite objections by market owners

Yahoo News / Associated Press· July 16, 2026

The NLRB formally certified the Workers United election result at Healthy Living's three grocery stores in Vermont and New York, rejecting the company's claim that union organizers created an 'atmosphere of coercion' that tainted the vote. The 105-69 margin was ruled decisive enough that alleged organizing misconduct could not plausibly have changed the outcome, meaning the chain must now bargain collectively with its workers.

CGH Medical Center employees ratify first contract after 5 years of conflict: Union official

Shaw Local (Sauk Valley)· July 15, 2026

AFSCME Council 31 announced that employees at CGH Medical Center in Sterling, Illinois, voted to ratify their first union contract after five years of disputes with hospital management, with a tentative agreement reached on June 29 and ratified by membership July 13-15. Key provisions include no health insurance premium increases in 2026, a $2/hour pay differential for charge duties, and limits on out-of-town temporary workers.

Trump NLRB Inches Closer to Activating Ability to Change Law

Bloomberg Law· July 15, 2026

The Senate HELP Committee approved Trump nominee James Macy to the NLRB on a party-line 12-11 vote, setting up a full Senate confirmation vote that would give Republicans a 3-1 majority and the votes needed to overturn Biden-era labor precedents. The Senate must confirm at least one nominee before Democratic member David Prouty's term expires August 27, or the board will again lose its quorum to hear cases.

Trump's Pick to Head Bureau of Labor Statistics Clears Key Senate Hurdle

U.S. News & World Report / Reuters· July 15, 2026

The Senate HELP Committee advanced Trump's BLS nominee Brett Matsumoto 12-11 along party lines, alongside approving NLRB nominees James Macy and renominating Democrat David Prouty, on the same day — a sweeping set of labor agency votes with no Senate floor date yet set. The trifecta of nominations moves forward against a hard deadline: the NLRB loses quorum if Prouty is not confirmed before August 27, just before the Senate's scheduled recess.

Horse carriage ban bill: Raw emotions at City Council during hearing on 'Romanch's Law'

amNewYork· July 15, 2026

The NYC Council held its first hearing in four years on legislation to ban horse carriages, triggering fierce opposition from TWU Local 100, which represents roughly 150 carriage drivers and argues the bill would eliminate members' livelihoods with no viable alternative. The bill, now backed by the Council Speaker and a majority of members, would phase out the industry and mandate a job retraining program — a rare case of a union actively fighting against its members' industry being outlawed.

Tyson Foods Workers in New Jersey Ratify a New Contract

UFCW / Meatingplace· July 15, 2026

Nearly 100 members of UFCW Local 152 at Tyson Foods' Vineland, N.J., poultry plant ratified a three-year contract that includes guaranteed annual wage increases, a ratification bonus, and an expanded second-shift differential. The agreement covers workers in production, sanitation, and warehouse operations at the facility.

Brooklyn public defenders threaten to strike Thursday

NY State of Politics / Spectrum NY1· July 14, 2026

Pre-strike coverage documenting the stakes for thousands of low-income defendants in Brooklyn and Queens criminal courts as nearly 500 BDS staff — including 280 attorneys — prepared to walk off the job after UAW Local 2325 members authorized a strike deadline. The story provides key context on the city funding structure and the potential court disruption for clients who cannot afford private legal representation.

NJ Cannabis Workers Win Decertification Election After 21-Month Delay

Cannabis Business Times· July 14, 2026

Workers at Green Thumb Industries' four New Jersey locations successfully decertified UFCW Local 360 in an NLRB election certified on July 14, ending a process that began in October 2024 but was blocked for nearly two years by union-filed blocking charges. The case, litigated with help from the National Right to Work Foundation, drew attention to the NLRB's blocking charge policy that the current Republican-majority board is expected to reform.

New York, Amazon Union Demand White House-NLRB Comms

Law360· July 14, 2026

New York state and the Amazon Labor Union have asked a federal judge to compel the NLRB to turn over its communications with the White House and Department of Labor, arguing that presidential influence over the agency undermines the government's exclusive jurisdiction over federal labor law. The case is part of ongoing litigation over the NLRB's April 2026 bargaining order requiring Amazon to recognize the ALU-Teamsters at its JFK8 Staten Island warehouse.

Teamsters nurses strike outside Henry Ford Genesys Hospital during summer heat

WNEM· July 14, 2026

More than 750 nurses and case managers represented by Teamsters Local 332 remain on an open-ended strike at Henry Ford Genesys Hospital in Grand Blanc, Michigan, now past the ten-month mark with no resolution in sight. The central sticking point is a return-to-work agreement: the union demands nurses get their former shifts and positions back, while the hospital refuses to displace replacement workers hired during the walkout.

New York, Amazon Union Demand White House-NLRB Comms

Law360· July 14, 2026

New York state and the Amazon Labor Union asked a federal judge to compel the NLRB to turn over its communications with the U.S. Department of Labor, arguing they would prove the president's control over the quasi-judicial agency has destroyed federal labor preemption and left Amazon workers in a 'no-man's land' with no meaningful enforcement available. The effort is part of a broader legal battle over whether New York's state-level labor enforcement law can step in where a politically compromised NLRB cannot.

DOJ Investigating Allegations Against UAW President Shawn Fain

Bloomberg / Michigan Public· July 13, 2026

The U.S. Department of Justice has opened a grand jury investigation into UAW President Shawn Fain over allegations he pressured a senior union official to secure financial benefits for his fiancée and her sister, and retaliated against VP Rich Boyer when he refused. Fain, who is running for re-election in a six-way race, denied the allegations as politically motivated fabrications by a rival candidate.

Justice Department is investigating UAW President Shawn Fain

The Washington Post· July 13, 2026

The DOJ has opened a grand jury investigation into allegations that UAW President Shawn Fain abused his power to secure financial benefits for his fiancée and her sister, and retaliated against Vice President Rich Boyer for refusing to approve those benefits. Fain, who is running for re-election in a six-way presidential race, has denied the allegations and called them politically motivated.

Brigham and Women's nurses return to work, ending largest nursing strike in Mass. history

GBH News· July 13, 2026

More than 4,000 registered nurses at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston returned to work after a one-day strike followed by a four-day lockout — the largest nursing strike and lockout in Massachusetts history — over wages and health insurance costs. Nurses walked back in still without a new contract, and approximately 450 MGB Home Care clinicians remained on strike through a separate action.

Jackson bus workers go on strike

Mississippi Today· July 13, 2026

More than 60 bus drivers with Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1208 went on strike against MV Transportation, the Texas-based private contractor running Jackson's JTRAN system, after contract talks dating back to December 2025 collapsed over pay, respect, and alleged bad-faith bargaining. MV responded by bringing in out-of-state replacement drivers and eliminating Saturday service, while the city temporarily waived CDL license requirements for replacement workers — a move the union criticized.

New rules: You don't need labor during an election; you need them after

City & State New York· July 13, 2026

A City & State analysis finds that major New York City unions have lost several consecutive high-profile endorsement battles, with candidates backed by labor like those facing off against Brad Lander, Claire Valdez, and Darializa Avila Chevalier losing their primaries. The piece examines whether traditional union political clout is waning or evolving, and what it means for labor's influence in city and national Democratic politics.

Nurses are back at Brigham and Women's Hospital, but the fight is not over

Boston.com· July 13, 2026

About 4,000 nurses at Brigham and Women's Hospital returned to work Monday after the largest nursing strike and lockout in Massachusetts history — a one-day walkout that stretched into five days after Mass General Brigham honored contracts with roughly 1,300 temporary replacement nurses. The nurses returned without a new contract, as the union and hospital remain deadlocked over pay, with the union seeking across-the-board raises and MGB offering only step increases.

Brigham and Women's Hospital nurses in Boston return after 5-day work stoppage

CBS Boston· July 13, 2026

Nurses returned to their shifts at 7 a.m. on July 13 after the lockout expired, but contract negotiations between MNA and Mass General Brigham remained at a standstill, with the union still seeking across-the-board raises and the hospital maintaining it offers competitive compensation through a step-based pay structure. About 450 MGB Home Care clinicians simultaneously ended their own separate seven-day strike, also without a first contract agreement.

Nurses are back at Brigham and Women's Hospital, but the fight is not over

Boston Globe· July 13, 2026

About 4,000 nurses at Brigham and Women's Hospital returned to work Monday after a one-day strike on July 8 stretched into five days when Mass General Brigham locked them out to honor contracts with roughly 1,300 temporary replacement nurses. Nurses returned without a new contract after eight months of bargaining, with the core dispute remaining over base salary increases and health insurance costs.

MNA: Brigham Nurses Return to Patients Following Historic Strike and Lockout; Fight for Fair Contracts and Safe Patient Care Continues

PR Newswire / Massachusetts Nurses Association· July 13, 2026

More than 4,000 Brigham and Women's nurses returned to work July 13 after the largest nurse strike and lockout in Massachusetts history concluded, but the union and Mass General Brigham remain without a contract after eight months of bargaining. Approximately 450 MGB Home Care clinicians continued their separate seven-day strike through July 15, fighting for their first union contract.

DOJ Investigating Allegations Against UAW President Shawn Fain

Bloomberg· July 12, 2026

The U.S. Department of Justice launched a grand jury investigation into UAW President Shawn Fain over allegations he pressured a senior union official to secure financial benefits for his fiancée and her sister, and retaliated against VP Rich Boyer when Boyer refused. Fain denied the allegations, calling the investigation politically motivated; Boyer is set to run against Fain in an upcoming six-way race for the UAW presidency.

DOJ opens investigation of UAW president; LIUNA protests Pfizer building collapse; national park workers unionize

OnLabor· July 12, 2026

The American Postal Workers' Union called for a federal investigation into conditions at the Atlanta Regional Processing and Distribution Center in Palmetto, Georgia, where four workers have died of medical emergencies since the facility opened in 2024. The U.S. Postal Service said the deaths were due to natural causes and cited facility improvements, but the APWU's national president said emergency infrastructure at the million-square-foot building remains inadequate.

National park workers in the Mountain West vote to unionize

KUNC· July 10, 2026

Workers at Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Glacier, and Rocky Mountain national parks were among 317 employees in eight Western states who voted 317-11 to join the National Treasury Employees Union, forming a new bargaining unit of about 650 park rangers, scientists, and administrative staff. Organizers cited the Trump administration's federal workforce cuts and staff reductions as key motivators for the drive.

Tyson Foods Workers in New Jersey Ratify a New Contract

UFCW / Meat+Poultry· July 10, 2026

Nearly 100 members of UFCW Local 152 at the Tyson Foods plant in Vineland, N.J., ratified a new three-year contract covering production, sanitation, and warehouse workers that includes guaranteed annual wage increases, a ratification bonus, and an improved second-shift differential rate. The agreement covers workers at a plant originally opened in 2017 under Advance Pierre Foods.

Booksellers in Minnesota Vote to Unionize

UFCW For Local Unions· July 10, 2026

Workers at the Half Price Books store in Apple Valley, Minnesota, voted to join UFCW Local 663, becoming the chain's fifth unionized location in the state and the tenth nationwide. The 15 workers cited higher wages, more equitable staffing procedures, and concerns about AI introduction in the workplace as motivations for organizing.

Tyson Foods Workers in New Jersey Ratify a New Contract

UFCW For Local Unions· July 10, 2026

UFCW Local 152 members at Tyson Foods in New Jersey ratified a new three-year contract that includes guaranteed annual wage increases for the life of the agreement, a ratification bonus, and an expanded second-shift differential. The agreement also extends funeral leave provisions for covered workers.

Booksellers in Minnesota Vote to Unionize

UFCW For Local Unions / Bring Me The News· July 10, 2026

Workers at Half Price Books in Apple Valley, Minnesota, voted to join UFCW Local 663, making it the chain's fifth unionized store in the state and the tenth nationwide. The 15 booksellers organized around higher wages, more equitable staffing procedures, and a greater voice at work.

University of Chicago Press Workers Vote to Unionize

Publishers Weekly· July 9, 2026

Eighty-nine percent of 134 eligible workers at the University of Chicago Press voted to form a union with the Chicago News Guild (TNG-CWA Local 34071), creating the first union in the press's 130-year history. Workers cited concerns about wages, job security amid AI, and working conditions, and will now begin bargaining for their first contract.

Power Workers Independence Day Strike Wins Pensions in Pennsylvania

Labor Notes· July 9, 2026

More than 1,500 PECO workers represented by IBEW Local 614 struck Philadelphia's largest electric and gas utility from midnight July 4 through July 6 — the first strike in the company's 145-year history — winning a tentative five-year agreement that restores defined-benefit pensions for roughly 600 workers hired after 2021 who had been limited to 401(k)s. The deal also includes annual wage increases of 4% for field workers and full medical coverage in retirement; ratification is expected within two weeks.

Mount Nittany Medical Center workers to go on strike in late July

WPSU (NPR affiliate)· July 9, 2026

Nearly 950 unionized workers at Mount Nittany Medical Center in State College, Pa., represented by SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania, voted to begin a five-day strike on July 27 after contract talks broke down over wages, with management offering 3% and 2% annual raises that the union says fall below the 4.2% inflation rate. It would be the first strike at the hospital since 2004, and the union notes the facility is the fourth most profitable acute-care hospital in Pennsylvania.

NLRB upholds order finding Amazon violated federal labor law

OnLabor· July 9, 2026

The NLRB upheld an administrative law judge's ruling that Amazon violated federal labor law at its Staten Island JFK8 fulfillment center by refusing to bargain with the Amazon Labor Union-Teamsters Local 1, which won a landmark NLRB election in 2022. Amazon has challenged the constitutionality of the NLRB in federal court in a separate action, seeking to block the board's remedies.

Mount Nittany workers vote to begin five-day strike on July 27

The Express (Lock Haven, PA)· July 9, 2026

Workers at Mount Nittany Medical Center voted 98% in favor of a five-day strike starting July 27, with SEIU Healthcare PA pointing out the hospital posted $183 million in profits on $509 million in revenue in fiscal year 2025 while offering workers raises the union says don't keep up with inflation. The union will deliver the legally required 10-day notice to management ahead of the walkout.

Half Price Books Workers in Apple Valley Win Union Election

UFCW Local 663· July 9, 2026

Workers at Half Price Books in Apple Valley, Minnesota, won their union election with UFCW Local 663 this week, citing concerns about wage compression and the company's push to standardize roles and introduce AI in the workplace. The Apple Valley unit joins a growing movement across the country at the privately held Dallas-based bookseller chain.

Power Workers Independence Day Strike Wins Pensions in Pennsylvania

Labor Notes· July 9, 2026

PECO's IBEW Local 614 workers reached a tentative agreement before midnight on July 6, ending a 64-hour strike that won the reinstatement of defined-benefit pensions for roughly 600 workers hired after 2021 who had previously been limited to 401(k)s. The five-year deal also includes wage increases of 4–4.5% annually and full medical coverage in retirement, with a ratification vote expected within two weeks.

Unions sue to restore DOD collective bargaining rights, asserting 'chaos'

Government Executive· July 9, 2026

A new lawsuit from AFGE and NFFE-IAM details the on-the-ground fallout from Hegseth's CBA termination order, alleging the rollout was so chaotic that workers legally exempt from Trump's executive order also lost their bargaining rights. The complaint describes union leaders being notified by phone, email, letter, or not at all, with some managers going 'radio silent' and others erroneously telling workers their union had been eliminated.

Brigham and Women's Hospital nurses locked out after ending one-day strike in Boston: "Let us in!"

CBS Boston· July 9, 2026

Approximately 4,000 nurses at Brigham and Women's Hospital staged a one-day strike on July 8 over pay — the largest nurses' walkout in Massachusetts history — only to be locked out by management when they attempted to return the next morning, because the hospital had contracted replacement nurses for a minimum five-day term. The lockout is scheduled to run until July 13, while a separate seven-day strike by roughly 450 Mass General Brigham home health care clinicians also continues; Gov. Maura Healey and Mayor Michelle Wu convened an emergency meeting at the State House that ended without a deal.

AFSCME members call off historic strike at University of California system after winning last-minute deal

AFSCME· July 9, 2026

AFSCME Local 3299 averted what would have been the first open-ended systemwide strike in UC health care history when negotiators reached a tentative agreement in the early hours of May 14 covering roughly 40,000 patient care and service workers, winning the union's largest pay raise ever for the lowest-paid employees as well as new caps on healthcare premium increases and layoff protections. Members are set to vote on ratification, with the contract running through November 2029 if approved.

'Let us in' chants echo outside Brigham and Women's Hospital as nurses strike becomes lockout

Boston.com· July 9, 2026

Brigham nurses returning for scheduled shifts on July 9 were turned away at hospital doors, with bargaining committee chair Kelly Morgan confronting security guards on camera and leading chants of "Let us in" before the nurses resumed picketing. The lockout is set to expire July 13 when the five-day contracts for 1,300 temporary replacement nurses expire.

Power Workers Independence Day Strike Wins Pensions in Pennsylvania

Labor Notes· July 9, 2026

A detailed account of the PECO strike's outcome confirms that IBEW Local 614 secured a five-year contract including 4% annual wage increases for field workers and the restoration of defined-benefit pensions for all members, including those hired in the future. The strike unfolded during a heat wave and violent storms that knocked out power for more than 57,000 customers, with IBEW locals in six states refusing to cross the picket line.

Production Assistants Ratify Three Warner Bros. TV Union Contracts

AFL-CIO Worker Wins· July 9, 2026

Members of Production Assistants United, a LIUNA Local 724 affiliate, unanimously ratified first union contracts on three Warner Bros. productions — Abbott Elementary, Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage, and All American. Key gains include a $20/hour minimum wage for new hires, double pay for holidays, and the establishment of a subcommittee to explore career advancement.

Mount Nittany Medical Center workers approve five-day strike beginning July 27th

WJAC-TV· July 9, 2026

Nearly 1,000 unionized employees at Mount Nittany Medical Center in State College, Pennsylvania, voted 98% to authorize a five-day strike set to begin July 27, after contract negotiations stalled following their July 1 contract expiration. SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania says the hospital's offer of 3%, 2%, and 2% annual raises fails to keep pace with inflation and the high cost of living in Centre County, while pointing to the hospital's status as the fourth most profitable acute care hospital in Pennsylvania.

Unions sue to block USDA reorganization, arguing it's a RIF in disguise

Government Executive· July 8, 2026

AFGE, AFSCME, and SEIU asked a federal judge in San Francisco to issue a preliminary injunction blocking USDA's reorganization plan, which internal documents show targets a 23% overall workforce reduction — rising to 31% excluding public safety inspectors — to be achieved through forced relocations that the agency expects many workers will decline, triggering resignations. Plaintiffs argue the plan violates Congress's explicit prohibition in the FY2026 appropriations bill against USDA restructuring or downsizing without legislative approval.

Brigham and Women's Hospital nurses strike in Boston now largest walkout for nurses in Massachusetts history

CBS Boston· July 8, 2026

The Massachusetts Nurses Association called a one-day strike at Brigham and Women's Hospital on July 8, with thousands of nurses picketing outside the Longwood Medical Area campus over pay; the hospital is proposing zero-percent across-the-board raises while the union seeks 3-4% annual increases. Mass General Brigham hired nearly 1,300 temporary replacement nurses and simultaneously a separate group of 450 MGB Home Care clinicians launched a seven-day strike.

USDA expects 'significant number' of staff facing relocation to leave their jobs

Federal News Network· July 8, 2026

Internal USDA documents submitted in the AFGE v. Trump litigation reveal that the agency not only anticipated widespread worker resignations from forced relocations but explicitly used projected attrition to hit its workforce-reduction targets — directly contradicting public statements by USDA leadership that relocations were not intended to drive staff losses. Affected workers at multiple USDA sub-agencies have already received reassignment notices with deadlines to report to new locations in September and October.

Brigham nurses strike over pay and insurance in new union contract

The Boston Globe· July 8, 2026

More than 4,000 nurses at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston walked off the job on July 8 in what the Massachusetts Nurses Association called the largest nurses strike in state history, joined by roughly 450 Mass General Brigham home care clinicians. The one-day strike was effectively extended to five days after hospital management invoked a contractual minimum for its 1,300 replacement nurses, with talks convened by Gov. Maura Healey ending without an agreement.

Trump v. Slaughter Decision Means for Independent Agency-Regulated Companies

Holland & Knight· July 8, 2026

On June 29, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in Trump v. Slaughter that for-cause removal protections for commissioners of independent agencies including the NLRB are unconstitutional, overturning Humphrey's Executor v. United States (1935). The decision means NLRB board members now serve at the President's pleasure, raising significant concerns about the board's independence and the stability of federal labor policy across administrations.

Tugboat workers ratify new contract, ending strike days before tall ships arrive

The Boston Globe· July 8, 2026

Teamsters Local 25 members at Boston Towing and Transportation ratified a new contract on July 9, ending an eight-day strike by 23 engineers, mechanics, and tugboat operators just days before the Sail Boston tall-ships festival. The new contract includes improved wages, better working conditions, and 100 percent employer-paid union health insurance.

News & Commentary: July 8, 2026

OnLabor· July 8, 2026

OnLabor's daily roundup highlights several significant labor developments from the week: the NLRB upheld an order finding Amazon violated federal labor law at its Staten Island warehouse, unions sought a preliminary injunction to prevent USDA downsizing, and an analysis of Starbucks' ongoing legal battle with Starbucks Workers United found that Littler Mendelson has represented the company across more than 200 NLRB and judicial cases, generating over 16,000 legal documents in five years. A separate item notes that former EEOC Commissioner Jocelyn Samuels dropped her wrongful termination lawsuit after the Supreme Court's ruling in Trump v. Slaughter eliminated her viable legal path forward.

The largest nurses strike in Mass. history begins Wednesday. Here's what to know

WBUR· July 8, 2026

More than 4,000 nurses at Brigham and Women's Hospital walked off the job July 8 in the largest nurses strike in Massachusetts history, with Mass General Brigham offering zero across-the-board cost-of-living raises after seven months of negotiations. Although the union authorized only a one-day strike, MGB announced it would lock out nurses through July 13 due to travel-nurse contracts, effectively extending the work stoppage to five days.

Brigham and Women's Hospital nurses walk out in largest such strike in state history

GBH News· July 8, 2026

Over 4,400 MNA-represented nurses at Brigham and Women's began picketing July 8, joined simultaneously by 450 MGB Home Care clinicians on a separate seven-day strike. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey personally attempted to broker a deal before the strike began, but both sides remained far apart on wages and health insurance cost-sharing.

Mount Nittany nurses, staff set to go on strike over contract offer

WTAJ· July 8, 2026

Nearly 1,000 Mount Nittany Medical Center workers voted July 8 to decide the date and duration of a strike, and will deliver a required 10-day notice to hospital executives ahead of any walkout. The hospital, which recorded a 30% profit margin in fiscal 2025 and recently completed a $350 million expansion, has offered raises the union characterizes as failing to keep pace with the cost of living in Centre County.

Hachette Book Group Employees Win Union Election

Publishers Weekly· July 7, 2026

More than 600 employees at Hachette Book Group, the third-largest U.S. trade publisher, voted 388-130 to unionize with the Washington-Baltimore News Guild, making the Hachette Workers Coalition the largest union in trade publishing history and Hachette the second of the Big Five publishers to unionize. The organizing drive launched publicly in late April and proceeded over several months of company anti-union campaigning before the decisive election result.

Unionized nurses at Ascension St. Agnes go on strike again, calling out staffing shortages

Baltimore Brew· July 7, 2026

Roughly 600 nurses at Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital in Baltimore held their second one-day strike on July 6, over patient safety concerns and stalled first-contract negotiations that have been ongoing since January 2024. The union cited unsafe floating practices — including sending medical-surgical nurses to cover postpartum and pediatric units — while Ascension reported over $900 million in net profit last fiscal year.

UMass Memorial Nurses Authorize 14-Day Strike Amid Staffing Dispute

Patch / Worcester, MA· July 7, 2026

The Massachusetts Nurses Association confirmed that 99 percent of voting nurses at UMass Memorial Medical Center's University Campus approved a strike authorization on July 1, following months of gridlocked negotiations over staffing ratios, workplace violence protections, and wage parity. The vote at the Central Massachusetts region's only Level 1 Trauma Center comes as a separate MNA strike at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston was already underway, heightening pressure on hospital management statewide.

Unions sue to restore Pentagon workers' collective-bargaining rights - Defense One

Defense One· July 7, 2026

More than 20 affiliates of AFGE and NFFE-IAM filed suit in U.S. District Court in Maryland on July 2 challenging Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's April 9 memo that ordered the termination of hundreds of union contracts covering tens of thousands of DoD civilian employees — in many cases contracts held for more than 50 years — with just 24 hours' notice. The lawsuit argues Hegseth's directive violated the Administrative Procedure Act by reversing longstanding DoD policy without reasoned explanation and creating widespread confusion in which managers falsely told workers their unions "no longer exist."

07/07/2026: Amazon Illegally Surveilled and Curtailed Protected Activity

NLRB Edge· July 7, 2026

The NLRB board affirmed an ALJ's findings that contracted security guards acted as Amazon's agents when they confiscated union literature, photographed a worker's badge, and pointed a camera at organizers during a union event at the JFK8 facility — conduct the board found constituted illegal surveillance and interference with protected organizing activity. The board dismissed a separate allegation involving a discharge at a nearby delivery station.

Ascension blocks Wichita nurses from returning to work after one-day strike

National Nurses United· July 7, 2026

Ascension Via Christi management locked out nearly 1,200 NNU-represented nurses at its two Wichita hospitals following their one-day safety strike on July 6, a move the union called retaliatory punishment. The nurses had been negotiating since March 2026 for a contract successor to the first contract they won in 2024, with management refusing to agree to enforceable staffing and workplace violence protections.

Alma nurses conclude strike, but contract negotiations continue

WCMU Public Media· July 7, 2026

178 registered nurses at MyMichigan Medical Center Alma in central Michigan completed a three-day unfair labor practice strike on July 6, returning to pickets after the hospital called off nearly 25% of nursing staff post-strike — a move the union called retaliation. The Michigan Nurses Association has filed six ULP charges against the hospital with the NLRB, including allegations that management withdrew contract proposals after receiving legally required strike notice and made direct threats against a union representative.

Peco and IBEW Local 614 union reach a deal, ending worker strike

Philadelphia Inquirer· July 7, 2026

PECO and IBEW Local 614 reached a tentative agreement late Monday night, ending the first strike in the utility's 145-year history after just three days. The union declared a victory, saying the five-year deal secured cash balance pension plans, retirement medical coverage, and significant wage increases for all 1,500-plus members.

PECO strike ends as union reaches agreement with utility

WHYY· July 7, 2026

IBEW Local 614's 1,600 workers walked off the job on July 4 in the first strike in PECO's 145-year history, citing wages 30% below industry peers and a pension tier system that excluded workers hired after 2021. The tentative five-year agreement includes 4% annual raises for linemen and gas technicians, cash-balance pension plans, and retirement health benefits for roughly 600 newer hires who had been excluded from those benefits.

Mount Nittany Medical Center Employees Set to Strike

StateCollege.com· July 7, 2026

Nearly 950 Mount Nittany Medical Center workers represented by SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania voted 99% to authorize a strike after their contract expired June 30, and are now voting on the specific date and duration of a walkout. The union rejected the hospital's most recent offer of 3%, 2%, and 2% annual raises as insufficient given that Mount Nittany is the fourth most profitable acute-care hospital in Pennsylvania.

Michigan nurses fight for freedom from unfair wages and union-busting

People's World· July 7, 2026

About 178 Michigan Nurses Association members at MyMichigan Medical Center Alma concluded a three-day unfair labor practice strike July 3–6, citing the hospital's final offer of zero raises in year one and 1% in each of the following two years. The MNA filed six NLRB charges against the hospital, alleging it withdrew bargaining proposals after receiving the strike notice and unilaterally changed workplace policies without bargaining.

PECO, IBEW Local 614 reach tentative agreement to end 3-day strike

6abc Philadelphia (WPVI)· July 7, 2026

About 1,600 IBEW Local 614 workers at Philadelphia's PECO utility reached a tentative contract agreement Monday night, ending a three-day strike that began at 12:01 a.m. on July 4 — the first work stoppage in the company's 145-year history. The union says it won all of its major priorities, including cash balance pension plans for all members, full retirement medical coverage, and significant wage increases.

Largest Nurse and Healthcare Professional Strike in Massachusetts History Scheduled for July 8 as 4,500 MNA Nurses and Clinicians Plan Walk Out at Brigham and Women's Hospital and MGB Home Care

Massachusetts Nurses Association / WBUR· July 3–7, 2026

More than 4,000 registered nurses at Brigham and Women's Hospital are set to strike on July 8 over wages, health insurance costs, and staffing, with Mass General Brigham planning to lock out the nurses for four additional days after the one-day walkout. Approximately 450 MGB Home Care clinicians are also set to begin a separate seven-day strike on July 8 as they fight for their first union contract.

Unions sue Pentagon over termination of collective bargaining agreements

Defense One· July 6, 2026

AFGE and NFFE filed a lawsuit accusing Hegseth of ordering DoD to cancel its union contracts with just 24 hours' notice and no uniform implementation plan, resulting in widespread confusion with some locals notified by phone, others by letter, and some receiving no communication at all. The complaint asks the court to vacate Hegseth's April 9 memorandum as arbitrary, capricious, and in excess of statutory authority.

Defense Department's Union Contract Cancellation Draws Lawsuit

Bloomberg Law· July 6, 2026

AFGE and NFFE filed suit in federal court Thursday challenging Hegseth's April memo that ordered DoD to terminate collective bargaining agreements with tens of thousands of civilian employees within 24 hours. The complaint argues the move violated the Administrative Procedure Act and reversed a policy DoD had honored for over a year without any reasoned explanation.

Minneapolis Allina hospice workers stage one-day strike amid prolonged negotiations, possible merger

CBS Minnesota· July 6, 2026

The Allina Health hospice nurses' strike unfolded against the backdrop of a proposed $2 billion acquisition of Allina by California-based Sutter Health, with the Minnesota Nurses Association separately urging both companies to comply with 2023 state legislation governing healthcare mergers and ensure transparency for workers. The Minnesota Attorney General's office is reviewing whether the acquisition serves the public interest.

Allina Health hospice nurses strike in Minneapolis over stalled contract talks

KSTP 5 Eyewitness News· July 6, 2026

Sixty-five Allina Health hospice nurses picketed outside Abbott Northwestern Hospital and the Allina corporate headquarters in Minneapolis on July 6 in a one-day ULP strike, with SEIU Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa saying bargaining has slowed dramatically since economic proposals entered talks in winter. Allina accused the union of seeking 'unsustainable economic demands' but said it was committed to keeping negotiations moving.

Wichita nurses at Ascension Via Christi hospitals begin 1-day strike

KWCH· July 6, 2026

Nearly 1,200 nurses at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis and St. Joseph hospitals in Wichita held a one-day strike on July 6 over workplace safety and staffing concerns, citing a fatal shooting and multiple violent incidents at the hospitals. After the strike, management locked out the nurses for several additional days, which the union characterized as unlawful retaliation.

WLRN employees approve first union contract

Current· July 6, 2026

SAG-AFTRA members at WLRN, South Florida's NPR station, unanimously ratified their first collective bargaining agreement, a four-year contract effective July 1 covering reporters, hosts, anchors, and producers. The contract includes immediate raises with some workers receiving more than 20% increases, doubled parental leave, AI guardrails, and severance protections.

PECO strike continues as IBEW Local 614 says company won't budge

WHYY· July 6, 2026

On the third day of the PECO strike, IBEW Local 614 counsel said the company had not offered any counterproposals despite daily bargaining sessions, while the union alleged three members were physically assaulted in separate picket-line incidents involving a PECO security officer and vehicles at company facilities. Both sides had filed unfair labor practice complaints, and a federal mediator was assigned to the case but the union said PECO had not agreed to participate.

Unions Sue Pentagon Over Termination of Collective Bargaining Agreements

Maryland Matters· July 6, 2026

AFGE and NFFE affiliates filed suit in Maryland federal court arguing that Secretary Hegseth's April 9 memo canceling DoD collective bargaining agreements constituted an arbitrary and capricious reversal of more than 50 years of department labor policy. The House Armed Services Committee recently adopted an amendment to block Defense Department use of fiscal 2027 funds to implement the executive order, though it remains uncertain whether the provision will survive final negotiations on the defense authorization bill.

Mt. Nittany Medical Center workers to vote on strike, union says

The Express (Lock Haven)· July 6, 2026

Workers at Mount Nittany Medical Center held a July 8 vote to set the date and duration of a strike after management's latest offer of 3% and 2% annual raises was rejected as falling short of the region's 4.2% inflation rate. The union noted that some Mount Nittany workers earn as little as $18.40 an hour despite the hospital ranking as Pennsylvania's fourth most profitable acute-care facility.

Five Nurse Strikes Are Set for July: Why Thousands of Nurses Are Walking Out

Nurse.org· July 6, 2026

A roundup of five concurrent nurse strikes across Michigan, Maryland, Kansas, Massachusetts, and New York finds safe staffing as the dominant theme, with wages and workplace safety close behind. The week's actions involve anywhere from dozens of hospice nurses in Minneapolis to more than 4,000 at Brigham and Women's, representing what experts are calling one of the busiest stretches of nurse labor action in recent memory.

Baltimore St. Agnes Ascension nurses go on strike again as contract negotiations continue

WYPR· July 6, 2026

Registered nurses at Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital in Baltimore, represented by National Nurses United, held a one-day strike on July 6 — their second walkout in a year — over patient safety, safe staffing ratios, and stalled first-contract negotiations that have been ongoing since January 2024. Nurses say management has cut staff hours and uses unsafe floating practices, while the hospital says it plans to remain fully operational with replacement nurses.

Allina hospice workers on one-day strike as bargaining continues

MPR News / CBS Minnesota· July 6, 2026

Roughly 65 Allina Health hospice nurses in Minneapolis, represented by SEIU Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa, held a one-day unfair labor practice strike on July 6 after nearly a year of stalled first-contract negotiations, picketing outside Abbott Northwestern Hospital and Allina's corporate headquarters. The action adds labor pressure to Allina amid a pending $2-billion acquisition by California-based Sutter Health, which the Minnesota Nurses Association is urging to comply with state merger transparency law.

MyMichigan Alma nurses plan 72-hour work stoppage

WNEM-TV / abc12· July 1–6, 2026

Registered nurses at MyMichigan Medical Center Alma held a three-day ULP strike from July 3–6 after their contract expired in February and 16 bargaining sessions failed to produce an agreement, with the hospital's latest offer providing no raise in the first year and 1% increases in each of the following two years. The Michigan Nurses Association filed six unfair labor practice charges alleging the hospital unilaterally withdrew proposals after the strike notice and changed staffing policies without bargaining.

Bus driver strike disrupts bus service in Merrimack Valley

The Boston Globe· July 5, 2026

Some 138 Teamsters Local 170 bus drivers, mechanics, and cleaning workers walked off the job at Merrimack Valley Transit on July 1 after negotiations broke down over management's proposal to eliminate Saturday overtime shifts, halting service for roughly 13,000 daily riders across 16 communities. Teamsters announced a tentative one-year agreement on July 9 that preserves Saturday overtime but deferred the underlying scheduling dispute to outside arbitration.

'Magic!' - The Gathering Arena Developers 'Go Union,' Vote To Join The CWA

WNY Labor Today· July 5, 2026

Workers behind the digital card game Magic: The Gathering Arena at Wizards of the Coast voted 79–16 to join the Communications Workers of America in an NLRB election finalized on June 23, the first union at any Hasbro subsidiary. The roughly 100 workers, who organized under the name United Wizards of the Coast, cited concerns over AI usage mandates, return-to-office policies, layoff protections, and pay transparency.

Production Assistants Ratify Three Warner Brothers TV Union Contracts

WNY Labor Today· July 5, 2026

Production assistants working on Abbott Elementary, Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage, and All American unanimously ratified their first-ever union contracts with Warner Brothers Television, all affiliated with Laborers Local 724. Key terms include a minimum wage floor of $20 an hour for new hires, double pay for working on holidays, and a sub-committee to explore career advancement for production assistants.

University of Michigan nurses to vote on ULP strike authorization

Michigan Nurses Association· July 5, 2026

About 7,500 registered nurses at University of Michigan Michigan Medicine will hold an unfair labor practice strike-authorization vote July 13–18 after contract talks that began in October 2025 stalled, with the MNA filing ULP charges alleging the university unilaterally cut some nurses' pay, installed monitoring sensors in clinical areas without bargaining, and refused to honor advanced practice nurses' union representation rights. If a majority authorizes the strike, union leaders would then have the power to set a walkout date with 10 days' notice.

PECO workers remain on strike; negotiations to resume Sunday

6abc Philadelphia (WPVI)· July 5, 2026

Talks between PECO and IBEW Local 614 ended Saturday night without resolution, with union officials saying negotiations will resume Sunday while picketing continues across a five-county region. The union is demanding industry-standard wages, a universal pension plan, retirement medical benefits, and a unified contract — saying PECO workers earn roughly 30 percent less than counterparts at comparable regional utilities.

Mount Nittany workers authorize strike plans if contract talks fail

Lewistown Sentinel· July 4, 2026

SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania announced that 99% of voting members at Mount Nittany Medical Center authorized a strike after contract negotiations spanning since April 29 failed to yield a new deal when the previous contract expired July 1. The union represents approximately 950 workers across registered nursing, lab, pharmacy, maintenance, dietary, and environmental services departments.

Henry Ford Genesys Hospital nurses strike continues past 10 months with no resolution in sight

Nurse.org / Jacobin· July 4, 2026

More than 750 nurses at Henry Ford Genesys Hospital in Grand Blanc, Michigan, represented by Teamsters Local 332, remain on an open-ended ULP strike that began September 1, 2025 — one of the longest nurse strikes in recent U.S. history. The central sticking point is a return-to-work agreement that would reinstate nurses to their original positions, which the hospital says it cannot guarantee due to operational changes made during the strike.

PECO workers strike starts amid Fourth of July heat wave

WHYY· July 4, 2026

WHYY reports that IBEW locals representing utility workers across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and Georgia directed members not to accept calls or emergency work from PECO in solidarity with the strike. The walkout coincided with extreme heat, an America250 celebration, and the FIFA World Cup in Philadelphia, amplifying concerns about unqualified replacement workers responding to gas odors and power outages.

With no deal in place, Peco workers are on strike

The Philadelphia Inquirer· July 4, 2026

Roughly 1,500 IBEW Local 614 members — linemen, gas technicians, call center workers, and mechanics — walked off the job just after midnight on July 4, marking the first strike in PECO's history after contract negotiations broke down over wages, pension equity, and retirement benefits. The strike comes as Philadelphia hosts FIFA World Cup matches and America's 250th anniversary celebrations, with PECO deploying a contingency plan of contractors and non-union workers to maintain service.

PECO strike: IBEW Local 614 workers hit picket line amid heat wave in Philadelphia region

6abc Philadelphia (WPVI)· July 4, 2026

After more than 12 hours of final negotiations on July 3, IBEW Local 614 leaders confirmed no deal was reached and roughly 1,600 PECO workers began striking at 12:01 a.m. The union says bargaining began in January 2026 but PECO showed little urgency, and workers are demanding industry-standard wages, a universal pension plan, and retirement medical benefits.

Nurses at HCA Swedish Medical Center join nation's largest nurses union

National Nurses United· July 3, 2026

Nearly 800 registered nurses at HCA HealthONE Swedish Medical Center in Englewood, Colorado, voted to join NNOC/NNU on July 1–2, 2026, in a rematch election after the NLRB invalidated a 2024 vote due to illegal interference by HCA Healthcare. The win gives NNU representation at a 504-bed Level 1 trauma center and adds to the union's existing base of over 10,000 HCA nurses at 19 facilities nationally.

IAM District 4 Members Win First Contract at Federation of American Scientists

IAM Union· July 3, 2026

Twenty-five IAM District 4 members at the Federation of American Scientists ratified their first collective bargaining agreement, nearly a year after forming the first union in the think tank's nearly 80-year history. The two-year contract establishes just-cause protections, a formal grievance procedure, a labor-management committee, and increases to salary bands for workers in AI policy, nuclear monitoring, and climate science.

Unions sue DoD over termination of collective bargaining agreements

Federal News Network· July 3, 2026

More than 20 affiliates of AFGE and NFFE filed a federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland challenging Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's April 9 memo that ordered DoD agencies to terminate virtually all collective bargaining agreements within 24 hours, stripping tens of thousands of civilian employees of union rights they had held for more than 50 years. The unions argue the move violated the Administrative Procedure Act by reversing longstanding DoD policy without reasoned explanation and misinterpreting the executive order it cited as justification.

Mount Nittany Medical Center Workers Vote to Authorize Strike if Contract Agreement Isn't Reached

StateCollege.com / WJAC-TV· July 3, 2026

About 950 workers at Mount Nittany Medical Center in State College, PA, represented by SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania, voted 99% on July 1 to authorize a strike after their three-year contract expired June 30 with no new agreement. The union is seeking wages that keep up with rising costs of living in Centre County, rejecting the hospital's proposed 2% raise for RNs — hospital management had initially proposed a 0% increase.

News & Commentary: July 3, 2026

OnLabor· July 3, 2026

OnLabor's daily roundup notes that staff at NYC cocktail bar Attaboy voted 13–8 to unionize — a rare victory for a small independent bar — and that Michigan is considering a 'right to disconnect' bill that would give workers the right to ignore work communications outside scheduled hours. The roundup also flags AFGE and SEIU filing for a preliminary injunction against the Trump administration's reorganization of the USDA, which unions argue would dramatically reduce the workforce without Congressional authorization.

Crockett C&H Sugar warehouse workers enter third week of strike

Vallejo Sun· July 3, 2026

About 90–100 ILWU Local 6 warehouse workers at the C&H Sugar factory in Crockett, California, are now in their third week on strike after negotiations broke down over the company's proposals to eliminate daily overtime, cut paid sick days, and end retiree medical benefits. A cargo ship from the Philippines carrying raw sugar has been anchored in San Francisco Bay since June 15, unable to offload because maritime workers are honoring the picket line.

Boeing and SPEEA begin contract negotiations – first full bargaining in 14 years

Lynnwood Times· July 2, 2026

SPEEA, the union representing approximately 17,000 Boeing engineers and technical workers, opened formal contract talks with Boeing on July 1, the first full negotiation since 2012, with current contracts expiring October 6. The union is pushing for market-leading pay, improved retirement security, and a commitment to build Boeing's next aircraft in the Pacific Northwest, with a strike authorization vote at T-Mobile Park expected in mid-July.

UMass Memorial Health nurses authorize two-week strike

The Boston Globe· July 2, 2026

Nurses at UMass Memorial Medical Center's University Campus in Worcester voted 1,233 to 17 to authorize a 14-day strike after months of stalled contract negotiations over staffing shortages, workplace safety, and wage parity at the region's only Level 1 Trauma Center. The authorization follows a letter from 14 state legislators urging hospital management to bargain in good faith; the MNA bargaining committee can now issue 10 days' notice to call a walkout if talks continue to fail.

Amazon Committed Labor Violations at NY Warehouse, NLRB Says

Bloomberg Law· July 2, 2026

A three-member NLRB panel upheld an administrative law judge's ruling that Amazon illegally interrogated and threatened workers during the 2021–2022 organizing campaign at its JFK8 Staten Island facility, ordering the company to issue backpay to a worker sent home for organizing activity. The ruling is the latest in an ongoing legal battle as Amazon Teamsters at JFK8 — the first Amazon facility to unionize — continue to report no progress on contract negotiations despite winning their election in 2022.

UNITE HERE-Represented Philadelphia Hospitality Workers 'Unanimously Ratify A New Contract To End A Nine-Day Strike'

WNY Labor Today· July 2, 2026

Around 170 workers at the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown — the largest unionized hotel in Center City — unanimously ratified a new contract on June 29, ending a nine-day strike that began June 21 amid the FIFA World Cup and America 250 celebrations. The deal brings Sheraton workers in line with the citywide hotel standard: wages rising to $30 an hour for non-tipped employees by January 2028, a 15-room daily cap for housekeepers, an 18% banquet gratuity, and improved pensions.

Hotel workers at Times Square hotels backed by NYC mayor, AG, and comptroller as ULP picket continues

Business Wire· July 2, 2026

A day after Hotel & Gaming Trades Council workers began picketing two Times Square hotels over stalled first-contract talks, NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Attorney General Letitia James, Comptroller Mark Levine, and City Council Speaker Julie Menin joined over 200 HTC members on the picket line. Housekeepers at the non-union properties earn an average of $20.56 per hour — nearly $22 less per hour than workers covered under HTC's recently ratified industry-wide agreement.

Philadelphia Sheraton hotel workers' union calls off strike days ahead of busy July 4 holiday

Rogue Valley Times· July 2, 2026

UNITE HERE Local 274 reached a tentative agreement with Cambridge Landmark, owner of the Philadelphia Sheraton, ending a strike timed to the hotel's busiest season ahead of FIFA World Cup matches and America 250 celebrations in the city. The deal came after a prior four-day strike in 2025 led Hampton Inn and other properties to adopt a new citywide standard that Sheraton had refused to match.

Workers at High Country News — aka the GOAT union — wins first contract

The NewsGuild – TNG-CWA· July 2, 2026

Staff at High Country News, a 54-year-old nonprofit Western lands magazine, ratified their first union contract after organizing with the Denver News Guild, CWA Local 37074. The wall-to-wall unit spans editorial, marketing, development, customer service, and art departments.

What the Supreme Court's Slaughter Decision Means for the NLRB

Labor Relations Update· July 2, 2026

Legal analysts warn that the Supreme Court's Trump v. Slaughter ruling strongly indicates the NLRA's parallel for-cause removal provision for NLRB board members is also unconstitutional, effectively handing the president power to reshape the Board immediately upon taking office rather than waiting for terms to expire. The decision is expected to end the Gwynne Wilcox reinstatement litigation and could accelerate dramatic shifts in federal labor enforcement with each new administration.

Grand Canyon: Now union

NW Labor Press· July 2, 2026

In ballots tallied June 17, about 650 National Park Service workers across eight Western states — including Glacier, Grand Canyon, and Grand Teton — voted 317 to 11 to be represented by the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), forming NTEU Chapter 347. The organizing drive came directly in the wake of Trump administration cuts that reduced NPS staffing by roughly 25 percent.

What's Next for the Faster Labor Contracts Act?

Kutak Rock LLP· July 2, 2026

The Faster Labor Contracts Act (H.R. 5408), which passed the House 230–193 on June 9 with bipartisan support, now moves to the Senate where a companion bill is sponsored by Republican Senators Josh Hawley, Bernie Moreno, and Roger Marshall. If enacted, the bill would impose a 90-day bargaining deadline on first-contract negotiations, followed by mandatory mediation and binding arbitration — what the Teamsters called "the most consequential labor bill to come before Congress in decades."

New rule could add to union paperwork burden

NW Labor Press· July 2, 2026

The Trump DOL's new union financial disclosure rule — which the AFL-CIO estimates will require nearly 500 hours to complete for large unions — took effect July 1 after a federal judge refused to block it. The NW Labor Press reports the rule, which the administration says builds on a 2020 Trump-era proposal that Biden withdrew, forces unions to immediately retool accounting systems to comply with 32 new financial reporting schedules.

Philadelphia Sheraton hotel workers' union calls off strike days ahead of busy July 4 holiday

World Socialist Web Site· July 2, 2026

The WSWS provides a critical accounting of the Sheraton settlement, noting that workers ratified the contract on June 29 and returned to work July 1, just as Philadelphia prepares for America 250 festivities and a FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match. The piece also marks the one-year anniversary of the DC 33 Philadelphia municipal workers' strike of July 2025, offering context on labor conditions in the city heading into the holiday weekend.

NLRB Finds Nexstar/WJET-TV Erie Violated Labor Law by Refusing to Bargain with SAG-AFTRA

NLRB (Weekly Decision Summary)· July 1, 2026

The NLRB granted the General Counsel's motion for summary judgment against Nexstar Media/WJET-TV in Erie, Pa., finding the station violated Section 8(a)(5) by refusing to recognize and bargain with SAG-AFTRA after the union was certified as bargaining representative. The decision is one of several recent Board actions enforcing bargaining obligations against media employers.

Boeing, engineering union to begin 1st full contract negotiation in 14 years

KING5 (NBC Seattle)· July 1, 2026

Boeing and SPEEA (Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace) formally opened contract talks on July 1, marking the first full negotiation between the two parties in nearly 14 years and covering contracts for approximately 17,000 engineers, scientists, and technical workers across multiple states. SPEEA's current contracts expire October 6, and the union is seeking market-leading compensation, better benefits, flexible work, and commitments against outsourcing — with both sides acknowledging the talks will be challenging.

AFGE | New Lawsuit Seeks to Stop Illegal USDA Reorganization

AFGE· July 1, 2026

AFGE filed a supplemental complaint and motion for preliminary injunction in AFGE v. Trump targeting USDA's reorganization plan, which the agency's own internal documents show is designed to achieve a 23–31% workforce reduction through forced geographic relocations rather than formal reduction-in-force procedures — thereby evading the legal protections RIFs require. Congress had specifically barred USDA from using fiscal 2026 funds for restructuring or staff reductions without congressional approval.

St. Charles Hospital nurses start strike countdown

Crain's New York Business· July 1, 2026

Approximately 300 NYSNA-represented nurses at Catholic Health's St. Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson delivered a formal 10-day strike notice June 30, with a strike set to begin July 13 if no contract is reached. The central dispute is chronic understaffing, with a New York State Department of Health investigation finding nearly 200 safe-staffing-law violations at the hospital.

Hotel and Gaming Trades Council Members Begin Picketing at Two Times Square Hotels

Business Wire / NYC Central Labor Council· July 1, 2026

Workers at two Times Square hotels — Fairfield by Marriott Manhattan Times Square and Four Points by Sheraton Midtown — began picketing on July 1, calling for an unfair labor practice boycott nearly four years after voting to join the Hotel & Gaming Trades Council in October 2022. The union has filed multiple ULP charges against the hotels for allegedly failing to bargain in good faith, subcontracting union positions, and discriminating against organizing members; NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Attorney General Letitia James joined the picket line.

Over 1,000 Workers at Bridgewater Interiors Vote Overwhelmingly to Ratify New Agreement

UAW· July 1, 2026

UAW Local 400 members who manufacture seats for Ford F-150s and Dodge RAM trucks at Bridgewater Interiors ratified a new contract, averting a strike after first rejecting an initial deal by 95%. The union credited the threat of withholding seat production from Ford and Stellantis as decisive leverage in winning improved terms.

Grand Teton National Park employees unionize

WyoFile / Jackson Hole News & Guide· July 1, 2026

Workers at Grand Teton, Grand Canyon, Glacier, and Rocky Mountain national parks voted 317–11 to join the National Treasury Employees Union, creating a new bargaining unit covering about 650 employees across the National Park Service's Intermountain Region spanning eight Western states. The landslide vote follows a wave of NPS unionization campaigns directly triggered by the Trump administration's 2025 mass layoffs and workforce cuts that reduced the park service by roughly 4,000 employees.

'Paid in Sunsets': Hundreds of National Park Employees Join Unions for Fair Treatment

GearJunkie· July 1, 2026

A broader wave of NPS unionization has been building throughout 2025–2026, with workers at Yosemite, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and now the entire Intermountain Region voting to join unions, motivated by mass layoffs, spending freezes, and the Trump administration's reduction of the park service workforce by a quarter. Union representatives describe the organizing surge as a direct response to workers seeing that unionized employees at other parks had more legal tools to fight job-threatening administration actions.

San Francisco Public Press workers form union, seek voice in the workplace

The NewsGuild – TNG-CWA· July 1, 2026

Workers at the San Francisco Public Press, a nonprofit investigative newsroom, formed a union as part of Pacific Media Workers Guild Local 39521, with management granting voluntary recognition after a supermajority of eligible staff signed authorization cards. The move follows a pattern of recent unionization at other Bay Area local newsrooms.

Peco strike deadline looms as IBEW 614 and the company return to the bargaining table

The Philadelphia Inquirer· July 1, 2026

Nearly 1,600 PECO utility workers represented by IBEW Local 614 are set to strike at 12:01 a.m. on July 4 — what would be the first work stoppage in the company's 145-year history — after five months of failed negotiations over wages, retirement benefits, and healthcare. PECO and the union returned to back-to-back bargaining sessions July 1–3, while Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker and Gov. Josh Shapiro publicly urged both sides to reach a deal before the holiday weekend, citing extreme heat and public safety concerns.

Supreme Court's Trump v. Slaughter Decision Reshapes the Administrative State – What it Means for the NLRB, EEOC, and Beyond

CDF Labor Law LLP· July 1, 2026

In a 6-3 ruling issued June 29, the Supreme Court overruled Humphrey's Executor (1935), holding that Congress cannot shield leaders of executive agencies from at-will presidential removal — a decision with sweeping implications for the NLRB. The ruling effectively ratifies Trump's 2025 firing of NLRB member Gwynne Wilcox and means future presidents can immediately reshape the Board's composition upon taking office, accelerating policy swings on union elections, joint-employer standards, and remedies.

PECO workers go on strike July 4, IBEW Local 614 officials say

6abc Philadelphia (WPVI)· July 1, 2026

IBEW Local 614 announced that roughly 1,600 PECO workers — linemen, gas technicians, call center staff, and mechanics — officially walked off the job at 12:01 a.m. on July 4, marking the first strike in the utility's history. The union accused PECO management of initiating disciplinary investigations against 150 union members after the strike announcement, which PECO later paused after the union intervened.

Hotel and Gaming Trades Council Members Begin Picketing at Two Times Square Hotels

Rutland Herald / Business Wire· July 1, 2026

Hotel workers at the Fairfield by Marriott and Four Points by Sheraton on West 40th Street began an unfair labor practice boycott picket on July 1, more than three years after voting to join the Hotel & Gaming Trades Council in October 2022. The union has filed multiple charges alleging the hotels failed to bargain in good faith, discriminated against union supporters, and replaced union positions with subcontracted workers — a situation NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Deputy Mayor Julie Su publicly condemned.

US judge won't block Labor Department rule on union financial disclosures

Reuters / TradingView· July 1, 2026

A federal judge declined on June 30 to grant the AFL-CIO's emergency injunction request against a new DOL rule — effective July 1 — imposing sweeping new financial reporting requirements on labor unions under the LMRDA. The AFL-CIO, which sued the DOL on June 10 arguing the rule was issued without required notice-and-comment, said it was "disappointed" but noted the court set an expedited briefing schedule on the merits.

What the Supreme Court's Slaughter Decision Means for the NLRB

National Law Review / Proskauer Rose· July 1, 2026

Legal analysis published this week details how the Supreme Court's June 29 Trump v. Slaughter ruling strongly signals that the NLRA's parallel for-cause removal protections for NLRB members are also unconstitutional. The decision appears to foreclose former NLRB member Gwynne Wilcox's reinstatement lawsuit and, if extended to the NLRB, would allow presidents to reshape the Board's composition immediately upon taking office rather than waiting years for terms to expire.

Philly mayor urges PECO and union to avoid strike before July 4

NBC10 Philadelphia· July 1, 2026

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker sent a formal letter to PECO and IBEW Local 614 urging both sides to find common ground before the July 4 strike deadline, as the city prepares to host FIFA World Cup matches and America 250 celebrations. Final contract talks between the union and PECO are scheduled for July 2, and it remains unclear whether a deal can be reached before 1,600 utility workers walk off the job.

Trump v. Slaughter: The Supreme Court Signals a Possible Turning Point for Agency Independence

NLRB Edge· July 1, 2026

A close legal analysis of the Slaughter ruling's specific implications for the NLRB notes that while the president can now definitively remove Board members without cause, the decision does not retroactively void past NLRB rulings, and no court has yet vacated a Board decision on removal-protection grounds. The analysis flags an unresolved circuit split on whether NLRB administrative law judges — who have double-layer removal protections — face the same constitutional vulnerability, with the Second and Fifth Circuits reaching opposite conclusions.

PECO, IBEW Local 614, and the looming July 4 strike: What to know

FOX29 Philadelphia· July 1, 2026

PECO management launched disciplinary investigations into 150 IBEW Local 614 members after the union announced its July 4 strike intent, but backed down after union pushback; PECO also activated a Level 4 storm protocol requiring mandatory overtime under outage response policies. Bargaining sessions are now scheduled for July 1, 2, and 3, giving both sides a final window to avert what would be the utility's first-ever strike, with 1.7 million Philadelphia-area customers potentially affected.

Boeing's professional aerospace union to start contract talks July 1

The Spokesman-Review· June 30, 2026

SPEEA, which represents about 20,000 white-collar Boeing workers — including roughly 13,000 engineers and scientists — announced it would enter its first full contract negotiations in almost 14 years starting July 1, with contracts expiring October 6. The union is seeking market-leading compensation and has pressed Boeing executives on whether the company is truly committed to building its next commercial jet in the Puget Sound region.

Nurses Deliver Strike Notice at Catholic Health/St. Charles Hospital

New York State Nurses Association· June 30, 2026

NYSNA nurses at St. Charles Hospital delivered their formal 10-day strike notice and reported that hospital management blocked bargaining committee members from attending a scheduled negotiating session, forcing its rescheduling. St. Charles is one of three Catholic Health hospitals on Long Island whose roughly 1,000 NYSNA nurses are simultaneously in contract negotiations.

Workers at Woodward MPC Outside Chicago Vote Overwhelmingly to Authorize Strike, Announce Practice Picket

Chicago Sun-Times· June 30, 2026

Over 800 members of UAW Local 5101 at Woodward MPC, an aerospace and defense manufacturer in Niles, Illinois, voted 71% to authorize a strike after the company allegedly committed more than three dozen unfair labor practices and refused to return to the bargaining table since October. Workers making $16–$27 an hour — well below the $28–$43 aerospace industry average — held a practice picket in 90-degree heat, with Woodward disputing the union's representation claim before the NLRB.

Supreme Court overrules Humphrey's Executor, allowing president to fire NLRB and EEOC members at will

HR Dive· June 30, 2026

In a 6–3 ruling in Trump v. Slaughter, the Supreme Court struck down the nearly 90-year-old Humphrey's Executor precedent that shielded members of independent federal agencies from at-will presidential removal, with direct implications for the NLRB and EEOC. The decision validates Trump's 2025 firings of Democratic NLRB member Gwynne Wilcox and EEOC commissioners, and analysts say it will accelerate policy swings at labor agencies with each change in presidential administration.

Supreme Court Holds FTC's 'For-Cause' Removal Protections Violate Separation of Powers

National Law Review· June 29, 2026

The Supreme Court ruled 6–3 in Trump v. Slaughter that statutory for-cause removal protections for FTC commissioners are unconstitutional, overturning a 91-year-old precedent — a decision that directly imperils the similar removal protections for NLRB board members. The ruling is expected to effectively end the legal fight for reinstatement by former NLRB member Gwynne Wilcox, whom Trump fired in early 2025, and could allow future presidents to reshape the Board immediately upon taking office.

Trump taps Keith Sonderling, a longtime ally of business, for labor secretary

Washington Post· June 29, 2026

President Trump nominated acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling to permanently lead the Department of Labor, ending months of leadership turmoil following the resignation of Lori Chavez-DeRemer in April amid misconduct allegations. Sonderling, a former management-side labor lawyer who shaped the Trump administration's independent-contractor rules, must now face a Senate HELP Committee hearing before a full confirmation vote.

Trump nominates acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling for permanent role pending Senate confirmation

The Hill· June 29, 2026

Trump's announcement on Truth Social confirmed Sonderling's nomination, which will require a new Senate HELP Committee hearing; Sonderling previously won confirmation as Deputy Secretary in a party-line 53–46 vote. The nomination also comes as the administration requested a 25.9 percent cut to the Labor Department's FY2027 budget, including the elimination of the Job Corps program.

Nine day strike ends as Sheraton workers reach agreement

NBC10 Philadelphia· June 29, 2026

Workers at the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown Hotel — the largest unionized hotel in the city — unanimously ratified a new contract with UNITE HERE Local 274 on June 30, ending a nine-day strike that began June 21. The deal raises non-tipped employees' wages to $30 an hour by 2028, cuts room attendants' daily quota to 15 rooms, adds an 18% banquet gratuity, and delivers major pension increases — bringing the Sheraton in line with a citywide hotel standard.

Deal is reached at Sheraton Downtown Philadelphia to bring hotel strike to an end

The Philadelphia Inquirer· June 29, 2026

UNITE HERE Local 274 and the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown reached a tentative agreement on June 28 ending a nine-day strike by roughly 200 hotel workers, with members unanimously ratifying the contract on June 29. The deal, which brings Sheraton into line with a citywide hotel standard, includes a path to $30 per hour for non-tipped workers by January 2028, a 15-room daily quota for housekeepers, an 18% banquet gratuity, and improved pension and dependent healthcare benefits — concluding a contract dispute that began when contracts expired in May 2024.

Workers at Sheraton Downtown in Philadelphia reach tentative agreement to end strike

CBS Philadelphia· June 29, 2026

CBS Philadelphia reports that the Sheraton tentative agreement also closes out a long-running multi-hotel campaign by UNITE HERE Local 274, which had been bargaining contracts across eight Center City hotels since their deals expired in 2024. New contracts bringing workers to the $30/hour citywide standard have now been secured at seven of those eight hotels, with the Sheraton the last holdout before capitulating on the eve of the city's busiest summer tourism season.

PECO, Union Face Looming July 4 Strike Deadline

New Hope Free Press· June 29, 2026

With a July 2 negotiating session scheduled and a July 4 strike deadline imminent, PECO and IBEW Local 614 remain publicly at odds over the magnitude of wage increases, retirement benefits, and healthcare — PECO offered roughly 20% in wage increases over five years, while the union says members earn 30% less than workers at comparable utilities. The potential strike would affect more than 1.5 million electric and gas customers across southeastern Pennsylvania during the July 4 holiday weekend and an ongoing FIFA World Cup round-of-16 match in the city.

California: First ILWU strike against sugar giant in decades

FreightWaves· June 27, 2026

The ILWU strike at C&H Sugar in Crockett, led by Warehouse Local 6, is the first such work stoppage against the company in decades and centers on healthcare, retiree benefits, sick leave, overtime rules, and union protections. The union has also filed unfair labor practice charges alleging C&H Sugar bargained in bad faith.

Federal Union Unable to Block FEMA Layoffs of Response Workers

Bloomberg Law· June 27, 2026

A federal judge denied AFGE's request for a preliminary injunction to prevent FEMA from laying off thousands of on-call CORE disaster responders, ruling that the unions had not shown the workers face imminent firings given changed circumstances since the suit was first filed. The ruling is a significant setback for the union coalition, which alleged that DHS unlawfully directed FEMA staffing decisions in violation of the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act.

Michigan Medicine nurses' union announces strike vote as contract negotiations stall

Michigan Public· June 26, 2026

The University of Michigan Professional Nurse Council announced a ULP strike authorization vote scheduled July 13–18 for approximately 7,500 RNs at Michigan Medicine, after nine months of stalled negotiations over safe staffing ratios, wages, and allegations of unfair labor practices. The union, whose contract expired in late March, said management has offered a 2% annual raise that does not keep pace with inflation and has proposed increasing nurse-to-patient ratios.

Senate Committee Vote to Approve NLRB Nominees Postponed

Mondaq (Littler Workplace Policy Institute)· June 26, 2026

The Senate HELP Committee postponed its vote on NLRB nominees James Macy and Democrat David Prouty, with a reset scheduled for July when the Senate returns; the confirmation is time-sensitive because Prouty's term expires August 27. If confirmed, Macy would give Republican-appointed members a 3-1 working majority, positioning the Board to overturn Biden-era precedents on union elections, joint employment, and workplace rules.

Union workers at Seattle Hilton strike amid World Cup

Hotel Dive· June 18–26, 2026

Workers at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Seattle Downtown Pioneer Square, represented by UNITE HERE Local 8, went on strike after 94% of members voted to authorize a walkout following the expiration of their contract on May 31. The strikers are demanding fair wages, year-round healthcare, pre-pandemic staffing levels, and — uniquely — protections requiring the hotel to notify employees if ICE or DHS agents are on the property.

Fifth Circuit Denies Enforcement of NLRB Order Against Starbucks; AFGE Unlikely to Secure Injunction Against FEMA Layoffs

OnLabor· June 26, 2026

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit overturned an NLRB finding against Starbucks, dealing another blow to NLRB enforcement in that circuit. Separately, reporting indicated that AFGE is unlikely to succeed in securing an injunction against layoffs at FEMA, continuing the pattern of legal setbacks for federal employee unions challenging Trump administration workforce reductions.

Glacier National Park employees vote to unionize

Montana Free Press· June 25, 2026

Workers at Glacier and 11 other National Park Service sites in the West voted to unionize with the National Treasury Employees Union by a 317–11 margin, forming a new bargaining unit of approximately 650 non-supervisory employees. The vote came after Trump administration cuts reduced the Park Service workforce by roughly a quarter through layoffs, buyouts, and a hiring freeze.

PECO workers set to strike for first time in 100+ years. Here's what to know

WHYY· June 25, 2026

IBEW Local 614 announced that roughly 1,600 PECO utility workers — linemen, gas technicians, mechanics, and call center staff — will walk off the job at 12:01 a.m. on July 4 if no contract agreement is reached, which would be the first work stoppage in the company's 145-year history. Workers have been without a contract since April 1 and are demanding higher wages, improved retirement benefits, and better healthcare, contending they earn up to 30% less than peers at other utilities.

Amazon Ordered to Bargain with Teamsters in First Cemex Time Limit Case

NLRB Edge· June 25, 2026

A detailed legal analysis confirmed the San Francisco Amazon/Teamsters ruling is the first case fully litigated under the Cemex framework, with workers having gathered authorization cards from roughly 66% of the proposed unit before Amazon refused to recognize or petition for an election. Legal commentators noted the case may now be appealed to the full Republican-majority NLRB Board, which could use it as an opportunity to overturn the Cemex standard entirely.

MTG Arena Team Officially Joins Union

Star City Games· June 24, 2026

Developers of Magic: The Gathering Arena at Wizards of the Coast voted 79–16 out of 100 participating eligible voters to join the Communications Workers of America, in the first unionization at Hasbro subsidiary Wizards of the Coast, following the NLRB-certified election held June 2. Workers cited concerns over layoff protections, a return-to-office mandate, generative AI usage requirements, and pay transparency as their primary motivations for organizing.

'Magic: The Gathering Arena' development team announces it's successfully unionized

GeekWire· June 24, 2026

The NLRB confirmed the election results after Wizards of the Coast declined to voluntarily recognize the union, with 100 of 102 eligible voters participating and 79 voting yes in the first union at the Renton, Washington studio. The new United Wizards of the Coast–CWA unit will now enter contract negotiations with Wizards and parent company Hasbro.

At 39th Constitutional Convention, UAW Delegates Chart Ambitious Course For Next Four Years

UAW· June 24, 2026

Nearly 900 delegates gathered in Detroit for the UAW's 39th Constitutional Convention, nominating candidates for International Executive Board officer elections to be decided by member mail-in ballot this fall. The convention also took up constitutional questions including the voting rights of non-legacy retirees, a key issue for members hired in the last 15 years who currently lack pension and retiree healthcare security.

At 39th Constitutional Convention, UAW Delegates Chart Ambitious Course For Next Four Years

UAW· June 24, 2026

Nearly 900 delegates gathered in Detroit for the UAW's 39th Constitutional Convention on June 15–18, voting to grow the union's strike fund, raise weekly strike pay, commit more resources to organizing, and pass resolutions supporting an aggressive organizing buildup toward May Day 2028. The convention also expanded the definition of a UAW retiree and allocated additional funding to the Women's Department and Civil and Human Rights Departments.

NLRB Orders Amazon to Bargain with Teamsters on Eve of Prime Day

International Brotherhood of Teamsters· June 23, 2026

An NLRB administrative law judge ordered Amazon to recognize and bargain with Teamsters-represented workers at its DCK6 delivery facility in San Francisco, the second such bargaining order against the company in less than three months following the April ruling covering the JFK8 warehouse in Staten Island. Amazon has vowed to appeal, and the case is expected to reach the Republican-majority NLRB board, which could use it to overturn the Biden-era Cemex bargaining order standard.

NLRB Judge Hits Amazon With Bargaining Order At SF Facility

WWD / Sourcing Journal· June 23, 2026

An NLRB administrative law judge ordered Amazon to bargain with roughly 120 Teamsters-represented workers at its DCK6 delivery station in San Francisco, ruling the company violated federal law by refusing to recognize the union or call for an election after a majority of workers signed authorization cards in 2024. It is the second NLRB bargaining order against Amazon in less than three months; Amazon said it will appeal and is confident a court will overrule the decision.

Hotel workers strike in another World Cup host city: Philadelphia

Hotel Dive· June 23, 2026

Unite Here Local 274 workers walked off the job at the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown on June 21, demanding a $30 per hour minimum wage, healthcare coverage for family members, and reduced housekeeping quotas, with the strike beginning the day before a World Cup match at Philadelphia Stadium. Additional labor disputes remain possible at several other Philadelphia hotels where contracts have recently expired, and similar strikes have already hit Seattle's Embassy Suites near Lumen Field.

NLRB Orders Amazon to Bargain with Teamsters on Eve of Prime Day

PR Newswire / San Mateo Daily Journal· June 23, 2026

An NLRB administrative law judge ordered Amazon to recognize and bargain with Teamsters at its DCK6 delivery facility in San Francisco, ruling the company violated federal law by refusing to recognize the union after workers presented majority authorization cards in 2024 — the first case fully litigated under the Biden-era Cemex framework. Amazon said it would appeal, and analysts noted the ruling gives the Republican-majority NLRB board an opportunity to revisit the Cemex standard entirely.

Fifth Circuit Denies Enforcement of NLRB Order Against Starbucks in Union-Firing Case

Bloomberg Law· June 23, 2026

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit overturned an NLRB finding that Starbucks unlawfully fired a Southern California worker for union activity, ruling the board relied on faulty comparator evidence to establish anti-union animus. The court also denied enforcement of NLRB orders finding Starbucks made coercive threats, though it upheld a finding of unlawful interrogation — the latest in a series of Fifth Circuit wins for Starbucks as it strategically routes cases through the conservative court.

NLRB Orders Amazon to Bargain with Teamsters on Eve of Prime Day

Teamsters / PR Newswire· June 23, 2026

An NLRB administrative law judge ordered Amazon to recognize and bargain with Teamsters-represented workers at its DCK6 delivery facility in San Francisco — the first case fully litigated under the Biden-era Cemex framework — after finding Amazon violated federal law by refusing to recognize the union despite workers obtaining majority card support. The ruling, issued hours before Amazon's Prime Day, is the second NLRB bargaining order against Amazon in less than three months; the company has denied wrongdoing and announced it will appeal.

Mayor Mamdani Signs Executive Order Protecting Workers from Extreme Heat

NYC Mayor's Office / amNewYork· June 22, 2026

NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani signed Executive Order No. 17 directing city agencies to develop heat illness prevention plans, multilingual safety guidance, and a review of construction-site heat rules — described as the first initiative of its kind in New York City history. The order covers more than 1.4 million outdoor workers but does not immediately impose enforceable standards on private employers, and was explicitly framed as a response to the Trump administration shelving a proposed federal OSHA heat standard.

Democrats Seek Reversal of Labor Department Joint Employer Rule

Bloomberg Law· June 22, 2026

House Democrats Bobby Scott and Ilhan Omar wrote to acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling urging withdrawal of the Trump administration's proposed joint employer rule, which would narrow liability standards under the FLSA, FMLA, and the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act. Senators Bernie Sanders, Ed Markey, Richard Blumenthal, and Patty Murray sent a parallel letter warning the rule would shield larger companies from accountability for wage theft and child labor violations committed by their subcontractors.

Concessions workers at Target Field in Minneapolis walked off the job on 22 June 2026 during the Twins–Dodgers game

Strike Tracker· June 22, 2026

UNITE HERE members working concessions at Target Field in Minneapolis staged a one-day strike during a Twins–Dodgers game on June 22 over stalled contract negotiations. The action is part of a broader wave of hospitality and stadium worker strikes timed to high-profile sporting events across multiple U.S. cities.

Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown workers went on strike Sunday while FIFA World Cup fans are filling hotels

Philadelphia Inquirer· June 21, 2026

About 200 workers at the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown, represented by Unite Here Local 274, walked off the job demanding a $30-per-hour minimum wage by 2028, improved healthcare, and reduced housekeeping quotas — terms already secured at five other Center City hotels. The strike landed the day before a World Cup match at Philadelphia Stadium, with additional strikes threatened at the Wyndham Philadelphia Historic District and other properties where contracts remain expired.

'Paid in Sunsets' Wave Continues: More National Park Service Votes Expected This Summer

Federal News Network· June 17, 2026

The 317–11 NTEU vote in the NPS Intermountain Region — covering 87 park sites across eight Western states including Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, and Glacier — is the latest in a string of federal park worker unionization votes and more are expected before summer ends. Organizers say the movement began in spring 2025 directly in response to mass probationary firings and RIF threats that stripped roughly a quarter of the agency's workforce under the Trump administration.

Teamsters, DOJ File Joint Motion to End Final Order and Consent Decree

International Brotherhood of Teamsters· June 17, 2026

The Teamsters and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York jointly filed a motion to end the 37-year federal monitorship of the union, which was established in 1989 to eliminate organized crime influence. The motion, which requires court approval from Judge Loretta Preska, came the same week Sean O'Brien was re-elected to a second five-year term as Teamsters General President; more than 20 Teamsters members filed objections with the court raising concerns about the removal of independent oversight.

Horizon Air flight attendants vote overwhelmingly to authorize strike

Alaska's News Source (KTUU)· June 16, 2026

AFA-CWA announced that 99.8% of the approximately 650 Horizon Air flight attendants voted to authorize a strike, citing delayed bargaining and low economic proposals from management after filing for federal mediation in January 2025. A first-year Horizon flight attendant currently earns under $20,000 for a full-time position; an actual strike cannot begin until the National Mediation Board declares impasse and a 30-day cooling-off period expires.

UAW Local 2093 Members Ratify New Contract with $30 by 2030 at American Axle

UAW· June 15, 2026

Nearly 1,000 UAW Local 2093 workers at Dauch Corporation (formerly American Axle) in Three Rivers, Michigan ratified a new four-year contract after a ten-day strike, winning a top wage of $30 per hour by 2030 — a more than 36% increase from the current $22 ceiling. The victory restores ground lost since 2008, when workers accepted cuts from $29 to $14.50 per hour to save the plant, a key GM axle supplier, from closure.

UAW ends strike in Three Rivers at key GM axle supplier Dauch

Detroit News· June 15, 2026

UAW Local 2093 ratified a new four-year contract with Dauch Corp. (formerly American Axle), ending a 15-day strike by nearly 1,000 workers at the Three Rivers, Michigan plant that supplies axles for several GM pickup truck models. About 80% of members voted to approve the deal, which raises top pay from $22 to $30 an hour by 2030, with workers hired before the 2008 recession-era pay cut receiving an immediate bump to $30.

UAW ratifies contract, ending strike at American Axle plant

Automotive News· June 14, 2026

After a 10-day strike, UAW Local 2093 members at Dauch/American Axle voted to ratify a new four-year contract that raises top pay from $22 to $30 an hour by 2030, the key demand workers had held firm on throughout the stoppage. About 80 percent of the unit approved the deal, which the union framed as recovering ground lost during the 2008 Great Recession concessions.

NLRB Petitions 6th Circuit for Rehearing En Banc Regarding Injunction Standard

Frantz Ward LLP· June 12, 2026

The NLRB petitioned the Sixth Circuit for en banc rehearing after a panel decision in Kerwin v. Trinity Health Grand Haven Hospital vacated a district court injunction that had required the hospital to recognize a union and resume bargaining while an unfair labor practice case was pending. The NLRB argued the panel majority incorrectly held that district courts cannot infer irreparable harm from the nature of the labor law violation — a ruling that, if it stands, raises the bar for Section 10(j) injunctive relief in the Sixth Circuit.

Faster Labor Contracts Act passes U.S. House

Mesabi Tribune· June 11, 2026

The Mesabi Tribune covers the perspective of Republican co-sponsor Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN), a former police officer who organized his own union, illustrating the unusual bipartisan coalition behind the bill — which is endorsed by a broad swath of unions including the Teamsters, UAW, IBEW, and IAFF, among others. The bill faces an uncertain path in the Senate despite the presence of Hawley's companion legislation.

NLRB orders USPS to rescind rule barring workers from collecting petition signatures on postal property

NLRB.gov· June 11, 2026

The NLRB adopted an administrative law judge's finding that the U.S. Postal Service violated Section 8(a)(1) of the NLRA by maintaining a blanket rule prohibiting employees from collecting signatures on petitions on postal property and from posting materials about their terms and conditions of employment on community bulletin boards. The ruling, originating from a facility in Merrifield, Virginia, adds to a growing body of NLRB decisions interpreting employer restrictions on protected concerted activity.

Philly hotel workers push back potential strike as FIFA World Cup is set to begin

Philadelphia Inquirer· June 11, 2026

UNITE HERE Local 274 extended its June 12 strike deadline at five Philadelphia hotels without a new contract, citing progress at some properties, but warned that a strike could be called at any time. The union had set the deadline after securing contracts — including $30-an-hour wages by 2028 and capped housekeeping quotas — at three other Center City hotels, and set the stage for the eventual Sheraton Downtown walkout ten days later.

NLRB Inches Closer to a Three-Member Republican Majority as Prouty Term Expiration Looms

Employment Law Worldview / Federal News Network· June 10, 2026

Republican NLRB nominee James Macy appeared before the Senate HELP Committee on June 10, moving toward a confirmation vote that would give Republicans a 3-1 majority on the Board and position them to begin rolling back Biden-era precedents on bargaining orders, captive-audience meetings, and workplace rules. The Senate must confirm at least one nominee before Democratic member David Prouty's term expires August 27, 2026, or the Board will again lose its three-member quorum needed to decide cases.