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Negotiations are set to resume Thursday between RTX and roughly 3,000 striking Pratt & Whitney workers, now entering their third week on the picket line. The union is demanding stronger job security and higher wages as production disruptions ripple through the company’s Connecticut facilities—where most of Pratt’s geared turbofan engines are made. In the meantime, engineers have been reassigned from other projects to keep operations running, raising concerns about long-term capacity. Analysts warn that a prolonged strike could deepen strain on an already stressed aerospace supply chain.

Striking workers in Washington will soon be eligible for unemployment benefits under a new law signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson, making the state one of just three in the nation to offer such support. Set to take effect in 2026, the law allows workers on strike or locked out by their employers to access limited benefits after a brief waiting period. Supporters argue it gives workers more leverage at the bargaining table and discourages employer misconduct during labor disputes. Opponents, including business groups, warn it could raise costs and incentivize more strikes. The final version of the bill allows up to six weeks of benefits.

A dispute over AI-generated voice work has sparked a legal challenge from SAG-AFTRA, which filed an unfair labor practice charge against Llama Productions for using artificial intelligence to recreate Darth Vader’s voice in Fortnite. The union says the move bypassed required negotiations and replaced union-covered work without notice. This marks another flashpoint in the broader labor standoff over AI in the gaming industry, where actors are demanding protections against digital replacement. SAG-AFTRA argues that using AI to mimic iconic voices without bargaining undermines workers' rights and sets a dangerous precedent.

Over 1,200 Starbucks workers across roughly 100 stores walked off the job this week, protesting a newly implemented dress code policy they say was imposed without union input. Baristas argue that the requirement to wear solid black tops has led to confusion, lost hours, and disciplinary actions—all while more pressing workplace issues like understaffing and wages remain unresolved. Starbucks maintains that the change is minor and that most stores continue operating as usual, accusing the union of using the dress code to delay contract negotiations. Workers counter that the policy highlights the company’s failure to prioritize meaningful support for its frontline employees.

A strike by New Jersey Transit train engineers disrupted commutes for an estimated 350,000 people on Friday after contract negotiations failed to yield a deal. The walkout—New Jersey’s first transit strike in over four decades—follows engineers' overwhelming rejection of a proposed labor agreement, with union leaders demanding pay parity with other regional railroads. While NJ Transit described the breakdown as a temporary pause in talks, workers say they’re prepared to stay off the job until a fair contract is reached. The strike underscores growing labor tensions in the transit sector and leaves many riders scrambling for alternative travel options.

A high-stakes legal battle is underway over whether presidents can dismiss members of independent federal agencies without cause. At issue is the removal of two officials—one from the National Labor Relations Board and one from the Merit Systems Protection Board—who argue their terminations violated constitutional protections meant to preserve agency independence. Trump administration lawyers counter that these boards wield executive power and must align with the president’s agenda. The case has broad implications for labor enforcement and could open the door to greater presidential control over agencies traditionally shielded from political influence.

Labor unions are already playing a major role in Detroit’s upcoming mayoral race, with early endorsements signaling where working-class support may land. The United Auto Workers backed Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr., a prominent pastor and political newcomer, while SEIU Michigan threw its support behind Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield. Both candidates are emerging as frontrunners, buoyed by strong grassroots networks and union alliances. Kinloch is positioning himself as a community-rooted outsider, while Sheffield leans on her legislative experience and long-standing ties to labor. The endorsements hint at a competitive and labor-focused campaign ahead.

Injury rates in U.S. warehouses have dropped for a third consecutive year, according to newly released data—but labor advocates say progress remains too slow. Amazon attributes the decline to billions spent on safety upgrades, including ergonomic improvements and retrofitted workstations. However, union-backed researchers argue the company’s injury rates still far exceed industry averages and that many facilities actually saw increases last year. Critics also accuse Amazon of using selective comparisons and downplaying the ongoing risks to its workers, while the company insists it’s making steady, meaningful progress.

Two Starbucks baristas are challenging the constitutionality of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in a closely watched federal case heard by the D.C. Circuit Court. Their lawsuit argues that NLRB members are too insulated from presidential oversight, violating separation of powers principles. The case stems from the board’s refusal to allow decertification votes at their unionized stores, despite majority support among workers. Supporters see the lawsuit as a defense of workers’ individual rights, while critics view it as part of a broader effort to weaken federal labor protections and union representation.

Tensions between California state agencies and public sector unions continue to mount over the use of private contractors for work traditionally done by state employees. Recent legal disputes center on contracts for janitorial services and legal defense work, both of which unions argue violate state employment rules. Agencies contend they turn to outside help when internal staffing or expertise falls short. Labor leaders, however, see these moves as part of a broader pattern of outsourcing that undermines union jobs and bypasses proper hiring channels. The conflict shows no signs of easing as cases move through the courts.