During the US government shutdown, Hollywood Burbank Airport in LA experienced a six-hour period without air traffic control staff, causing delays and highlighting staffing shortages across major airports, with controllers worried about pay and job security.
The US Department of Veterans Affairs is facing severe staff shortages across its hospitals, with a significant increase in shortages of doctors, nurses, psychologists, and police officers, impacting veteran care. Despite official reports highlighting these issues, VA officials dispute the severity, while the department continues to reduce staff, claiming it aims to improve services without affecting patient care.
The Department of Veterans Affairs is experiencing a significant increase in severe healthcare staffing shortages, with over 4,400 reported so far in fiscal year 2025, a 50% rise from the previous year, impacting critical positions like doctors, nurses, psychologists, and police officers, amid ongoing workforce attrition and hiring challenges.
The Social Security Administration is facing a staffing crisis, with recent reassignments aimed at reducing phone wait times causing disruptions and increased workload for staff, leading to high stress and attrition among employees, while experts argue that hiring more staff is essential to improve service quality.
New Seattle Police Department Chief Sue Rahr, a former King County Sheriff, aims to stabilize the department and boost recruitment amid a staffing crisis. She plans to streamline the application process, implement flexible scheduling, and leverage $30,000 signing bonuses to attract new officers. Rahr's tenure is set for six months, during which she hopes to set a positive trajectory for the department.
Austin, Texas is facing a crisis as police staffing shortages and longer 911-call response times persist following the city council's decision to defund the department in 2020. The ongoing shortages have led to instances where entire sections of the city were left without a single police officer for hours, prompting outrage from residents. The staffing decline has been exacerbated by a population growth of over 250,000 new residents and a district attorney's focus on targeting officers and releasing criminals. Families of victims and residents are expressing concerns over the impact of the shortages on public safety, with some fearing for the safety of their children. City officials acknowledge the pressing staffing and training concerns within the police department and are working on measures to address the crisis.
The Minneapolis City Council has voted against a tentative agreement between the Minneapolis Police Department's union and the city that would have provided retention bonuses for officers who stay within the department. The agreement, aimed at addressing the department's staffing crisis, would have offered up to $18,000 in bonuses for eligible officers who remain employed with the MPD for at least three years. The council cited concerns about effectiveness, rushed decision-making, and the need for alternative solutions. The department is currently 359 officers short, and the disagreement highlights ongoing tensions between the city council and the police union.
The administration of Mayor Eric Adams in New York City is planning to cut the next police academy class of the NYPD as part of a broader reduction in the city budget, primarily due to the multi-billion-dollar migrant crisis. This move will further strain an already depleted police department that has experienced significant losses since the COVID-19 pandemic. The pending freeze on new recruits comes at a time when the NYPD is struggling to replace the nearly 3,000 officers who have retired or quit since 2019, and overall crime rates remain high. The expected budget cuts have raised concerns about public safety and the ability of the police force to respond effectively to emergencies. Other areas facing cuts include migrant spending, sanitation services, and education funding.
More than 75,000 workers at Kaiser Permanente, the largest nonprofit healthcare provider in the US, have threatened to strike if a labor agreement is not reached to address a staffing crisis by the end of next week. The Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions issued the ultimatum after their final bargaining session concluded without a resolution. The unions plan to strike for three days in October if an agreement is not reached when their current contract expires on September 30. Kaiser Permanente serves nearly 13 million patients across eight states and the District of Columbia.
California lawmakers are considering a bill, Senate Bill 525, that would raise the minimum wage for health care workers to $25 an hour. The bill has been rewritten to include different timelines for different types of health care facilities, with rural health clinics having until June 2027 to reach the minimum wage increase. Supporters argue that the wage increase is necessary to address the staffing crisis in hospitals and ensure high-quality patient care. If the bill passes both the Assembly and the Senate, it will be sent to the governor for approval.
The aviation industry in the United States is facing a severe staffing crisis, with a shortage of about 32,000 commercial pilots, mechanics, and air traffic controllers. The post-COVID travel surge has exacerbated the problem, leading to persistent flight cancellations and delays. The industry struggles to train new professionals, and mandatory retirement ages for pilots and air traffic controllers further contribute to the shortage. Airlines are being investigated for unrealistic scheduling, and the industry is also grappling with a shortage of certified mechanics and fully-certified air traffic controllers. The staffing shortages have caused major disruptions in travel, with increased flight delays and cancellations. Lawmakers are pushing for action to address the crisis, and airlines are implementing measures to attract and train new employees.
Larry Nassar, the former doctor for USA Gymnastics convicted of sexual abuse, was stabbed multiple times in a prison in Sumter County, Florida. The incident has shed light on the staffing crisis and safety risks at United States Penitentiary Coleman, where the assault took place. The facility has nearly 150 job vacancies, leading to exhausted and overworked staff. Concerns are raised about the potential for more violent incidents if the vacancies are not filled soon. Former inmates and union representatives emphasize that understaffing and underpayment contribute to the dangerous environment in prisons.
Registered nurses with Ascension Seton Medical Center in Austin are set to hold a one-day strike on June 27 to protest the health care giant’s refusal to address its endemic staffing crisis. Of the 2000 nurses, 900 are part of Ascension Seton Medical Center in Austin. Ascension Seton said in a statement it is “disappointed” in NNU’s decision to go forward with a one-day strike. Patient safety is the top priority, and Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin is well-prepared to remain open and care for patients during this work stoppage event.
Nearly one-third of the attorneys in St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly M. Gardner’s office have left in the past two months, leaving a decimated staff to handle thousands of criminal and child support cases in the city. The staffing situation has become especially dire in recent weeks, with cases being dismissed and refiled by prosecutors who aren’t ready for trial, and hearings being delayed. Two judges got so frustrated with prosecutors not showing up for court in cases assigned to Polta and Desilets that they filed to hold Gardner in contempt. Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey filed suit in February to remove Gardner from office, and a bill moving through the Missouri Legislature seeks to strip Gardner of most of her power.