Costco has rejected nearly all proposals from the Teamsters union, including key protections for workers, as the contract deadline approaches. The Teamsters accuse Costco of not bargaining in good faith and taking an anti-union stance, with unfair labor practice charges filed against the company. The union demands a contract that reflects Costco's significant profits and improves working conditions for its employees. If an agreement is not reached by January 31, 2025, over 18,000 workers may strike.
Hundreds of unionized workers from ZeniMax, a subsidiary of Microsoft, are striking for a day to protest the company's alleged lack of bargaining over remote work and outsourcing quality assurance jobs without union consultation. This action follows a recent unfair labor practice charge filed by the Communications Workers of America Union against ZeniMax. The strike highlights tensions within Microsoft's gaming division, which has faced significant layoffs despite recent acquisitions and claims of a healthy business outlook by Xbox head Phil Spencer.
Junior doctors in England have commenced the longest strike in NHS history, causing significant disruption to routine services due to unresolved pay disputes. The strike, which is expected to involve thousands of doctors, follows failed negotiations for increased wages, with the British Medical Association (BMA) seeking a 35% raise to compensate for below-inflation increases since 2008. NHS England warns of the strike's impact on patient care during a particularly challenging period marked by high rates of respiratory illnesses and staff sickness. The government urges doctors to return to negotiations, while the BMA insists on a credible offer.
The Nebraska Commission of Industrial Relations has temporarily halted the implementation of Governor Jim Pillen's executive order that would end remote work for state employees, following a petition from the Nebraska Association of Public Employees (NAPE). The union argued that the state violated collective bargaining laws by not negotiating the terms of the order. The pause allows for the possibility of negotiation between the state and NAPE while the case is pending, with a trial unlikely to occur before February 2024. Governor Pillen's office maintains that the order still applies to most state workers, with the exception of those with existing remote or hybrid work agreements.
