Sean Astin, known for his role in 'Lord of the Rings,' was elected president of SAG-AFTRA, succeeding Fran Drescher, with Michelle Hurd as secretary-treasurer, amid a low voter turnout. They campaigned on themes of returning production to the U.S., improving benefits, and AI protections, and will face upcoming contract negotiations in 2026.
California State Senator Josh Newman, a Democrat, conceded his seat to Republican Steven Choi after a contentious election influenced by a powerful labor union, AFSCME 3299, which opposed Newman for not supporting a bill to protect UC worker rights. Despite significant Democratic spending to retain the seat, redistricting and union opposition contributed to Newman's defeat. This marks the second time Newman has lost his seat due to interest group opposition, having been recalled in 2018 over a gas tax vote.
Workers at 11 unionized New Seasons Market locations in Portland plan a one-day strike before Thanksgiving, citing unfair labor practices and stalled contract negotiations over wages and benefits. The New Seasons Labor Union, representing over 1,100 grocery workers, accuses the company of bad faith bargaining. New Seasons aims to keep stores open during the strike, offering double-pay to staff willing to work. The strike follows a previous warning strike and ongoing efforts to secure a first contract since unionization began in 2022.
The independent Amazon Labor Union (ALU), which achieved a historic victory at a New York Amazon warehouse in 2022, is moving to affiliate with the Teamsters to bolster its organizing efforts. This alliance aims to provide ALU with financial, legal, and structural support amid ongoing legal challenges from Amazon and internal union disputes. The Teamsters, known for their expertise in logistics and recent successful negotiations with UPS, hope to inspire Amazon workers to join their ranks.
Disneyland performers, including parade performers, character actors, and support staff, have filed a petition to form a labor union called "Magic United" in order to address concerns such as injuries from costumes, erratic scheduling, and a lack of clear communication from management. The workers, who make up more than two-thirds of roughly 1,700 eligible workers, seek an election through the National Labor Relations Board and have asked The Walt Disney Co. to recognize the union. The effort comes after similar unionization of theatrical performers at Disney's Florida theme parks and is part of a broader trend of growing public support for unionization in the United States.
The U.S. Senate confirmed Nicole Berner, the general counsel for the Service Employees International Union, as the first openly LGBTQ judge on the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Her confirmation aligns with President Biden's commitment to diversify the federal judiciary, with Berner becoming the 30th woman and 11th openly LGBTQ judge appointed under his administration. Republicans opposed her nomination due to her advocacy against right-to-work laws and liberal causes, but she ultimately secured the position, furthering the push for more pro-union labor lawyers in the judiciary.
The Dartmouth College men's basketball team voted 13-2 to become the first labor union for college athletes, potentially challenging the NCAA's model. The players sought unionization due to financial challenges despite their full-time commitment to the team. The National Labor Relations Board paved the way for the union vote, and the university has five days to file an objection. Experts anticipate other college athletes, particularly within the Ivy League, to petition for unionization following this historic vote.
Lufthansa warns that the two-day strike by ground crews in Germany will affect over 200,000 passengers, as labor union Verdi calls for the walkout due to failed negotiations over pay and working conditions. The strike is part of a series of labor actions in the country's transport industry, with Lufthansa offering to negotiate if the strike is called off. The union demands a 12.5% salary increase and an extra €3,000 inflation bonus for ground staff, with the next meeting scheduled for March 13 and 14. Lufthansa accuses the union of seeking escalation rather than a solution and plans to implement a special flight plan during the strike.
Google contractor Cognizant in Austin, Texas, cut the contract of a team of more than 40 moderators responsible for approving music content for YouTube Music after they went on strike in February last year, demanding changes to Google’s return-to-work policy. The Alphabet Workers Union-CWA, representing the contractors, claims that many workers hired to work remotely are paid as little as $19 an hour, and going to the office would be too expensive. The National Labor Relations Board ruled that Google can be considered a partial employer for unionized contractors, and the company can appeal to federal court.
The largest labor union in Washington state, the United Food and Commercial Workers, has endorsed voting "uncommitted" in the state's Democratic presidential primary, expressing concerns about President Joe Biden's political strength and his support for Israel's war in Gaza. The union, with over 50,000 members, believes that voting "uncommitted" will strengthen the Democratic party's nominee to defeat Trump in the general election. This move reflects some parts of the Democratic base not fully supporting Biden's re-election, as seen in Michigan's primary where 13% of voters chose "uncommitted" over Biden.
A coalition of unions, the Strategic Organizing Center, accuses Starbucks of implementing a "flawed human capital management strategy" in response to a union movement, risking shareholder value and isolating customers. The coalition plans to file an investor presentation with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, pushing to replace three current Starbucks board members with its own nominees. Starbucks defends its board and strategy, stating its significant investments in employee experience and plans to reach ratified contracts for represented stores in 2024. The union coalition claims the company's response to the unionization campaign has cost nearly a quarter of a billion dollars and damaged the brand's value, while Starbucks argues its steady operating performance speaks for itself amidst external challenges.
A German labor union has called for a one-day strike at seven airports, including Frankfurt and Munich, affecting Lufthansa's ground staff in a bid for pay raises. The union seeks a 12.5% increase or at least 500 euros more per month for about 25,000 employees, with negotiations ongoing after a previous strike led to flight cancellations.
The Professional Referees Organization (PRO) will lock out MLS referees after the Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA) voted overwhelmingly to reject a tentative collective bargaining agreement, prompting a lockout just days before the MLS season kicks off. The rejection comes despite PRO's offer of significant pay increases and improved travel accommodations. As a result, replacement referees are expected to officiate the first matches of the season, with both sides expressing disappointment and a commitment to returning to the negotiating table.
Amazon, along with Trader Joe’s and SpaceX, has argued that the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is unconstitutional as part of an ongoing case against the company for alleged retaliation against unionized workers. The NLRB is investigating unfair labor practice charges against Amazon for its anti-union activity at a Staten Island warehouse. Amazon's argument is that the NLRB's structure violates the Constitution's separation of powers and its due process rights. Legal experts believe these efforts to deem core governmental institutions illegal have stemmed from the leanings of the current Supreme Court. A trial on this case is scheduled for the end of February.
Flight attendants are demanding to be paid from the moment they start work until they finish, rather than only when the aircraft doors close. They argue that the current system leaves them unpaid for significant portions of their workday, especially with fuller flights and leaner staffing. While some airlines compensate for boarding time, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants is pushing for a 33% raise and other improvements. Contract negotiations are ongoing, and flight attendants are picketing to bring attention to their demands.