ZeniMax employees criticize Microsoft's recent mass layoffs, describing the process as inhumane and chaotic, with significant emotional and practical impacts on staff, despite Microsoft's public messaging of success and growth. Union support has helped mitigate some effects, but morale remains low amid ongoing industry layoffs.
Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, President-elect Trump's labor secretary pick, faced criticism for extravagant campaign spending during her failed re-election bid, including over $60,000 on luxury hotels and limo services. Her nomination has sparked controversy due to her support for pro-union legislation, drawing ire from conservative Republicans. Chavez-DeRemer, who narrowly lost her congressional race, was reportedly nominated with backing from Teamster union president Sean O’Brien. Recently, she was among Trump appointees targeted by bomb threats.
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. CEO is open to making a lower bid for United States Steel Corp. with union support, contingent on the Nippon-US Steel deal falling through, as the steelworkers union has criticized Nippon's takeover approach.
President Joe Biden secures the United Auto Workers Union's endorsement as he gears up for a likely rematch against Donald Trump, with the union's support seen as crucial in the swing state of Michigan. Biden has been actively courting the union, addressing concerns about his electric vehicle policies and emphasizing his support for union workers. The UAW's endorsement is a significant win for Biden, who has historically relied on union support, and comes as his campaign shifts focus to the general election, positioning itself against a divided GOP and emphasizing Biden's track record and appeal to key constituencies.
Former President Donald Trump demanded union support for his vision of economic nationalism during a speech in Michigan, warning of doom for the auto industry if his policies were not embraced. Trump advocated for more aggressive state intervention in industrial policy, including trade restrictions, fossil fuels, and even expropriation of foreign assets. He criticized the Biden administration's policies on electric vehicles and accused them of endangering U.S. manufacturing. Trump sought the endorsement of the United Auto Workers (UAW) and warned of their imminent extinction if they did not support him. The UAW has not endorsed Biden's reelection but has criticized Trump's policies. Trump's speech was seen as an attempt to appeal to working-class voters and peel off rank-and-file union members from their leaders.
President Joe Biden visited a picket line in Michigan to show support for striking auto workers, becoming the first modern president to do so. Biden encouraged the workers to continue fighting for better wages, expressing his belief that they deserve a significant raise. Former President Donald Trump criticized Biden's visit as a PR stunt. Biden's visit highlights his pro-union stance and support for worker organizing efforts. The UAW strike, now in its 12th day, remains a challenge for the Biden administration as it addresses concerns about the transition to electric vehicles.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's visit to a Las Vegas training center highlights the challenges of selling President Joe Biden's economic policies to voters. While Biden's clean energy tax breaks and infrastructure investment have led to job creation and economic benefits for some, recent polling shows that many Americans feel the economy is worse or are unaware of the administration's investment bills. Yellen's visit received limited media coverage, raising questions about the administration's approach to swing states like Nevada, which could be crucial in the 2024 election. The impact of Biden's policies may take time to be fully felt and accepted by voters, but with dropping inflation and unemployment rates, sentiment about the economy may become more favorable to Biden in the lead-up to the election.