Boeing is facing a potential strike by 32,000 workers as the contract between the company and the International Association of Machinists nears its expiration date. The union is demanding better wages, healthcare, retirement benefits, and time off, and a lack of agreement could lead to the first strike at Boeing in 16 years. This comes at a time when Boeing is already dealing with a safety crisis and declining aircraft sales.
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is investigating Chipotle Mexican Grill for potentially withholding pay raises from employees in a unionized store in Lansing, Michigan. This comes after Chipotle settled a similar case in April 2023, where they agreed to pay $240,000 to workers affected by a restaurant closure related to unionization efforts. The latest allegations could lead to increased scrutiny on Chipotle’s labor practices, especially with the outgoing CEO Brian Niccol’s transition to Starbucks.
Costco workers in Norfolk, Virginia, have voted overwhelmingly to join the Teamsters national contract, securing strong job and retirement protections under the Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Plan. This marks a significant victory for the workers, who will now benefit from the same protections enjoyed by over 18,000 of their colleagues across the country.
Former Obama administration economist Betsey Stevenson criticized Donald Trump’s praise of Elon Musk for firing striking workers at Tesla. This incident has ignited controversy, with the United Auto Workers (UAW) filing federal labor charges against both Trump and Musk for their public statements.
Pakistan’s workforce in the Gulf region is facing increasing challenges, including high crime rates and negative perceptions, leading to a decline in demand for Pakistani workers and a shift towards workers from other countries like Bangladesh. The government is facing criticism for failing to address these issues and support the Pakistani diaspora.
Video game voice and motion-capture actors represented by SAG-AFTRA are set to strike starting July 26th, citing a lack of progress in negotiations for AI protections. The union claims that publishers are not interested in fair agreements and are instead seeking to exploit actors’ work for proprietary AI technologies.
SAG-AFTRA, the union representing actors in Hollywood, has gone on strike against video game companies like Activision, Disney, EA, and WB Games. The union is demanding better protections against the use of AI in game development, arguing that current agreements do not offer enough safeguards for its members. The strike began at 12:01 a.m. on July 26th and will continue until a new contract is reached.
While many countries explore shorter workweeks, Greece has sparked controversy by introducing a six-day workweek for certain industries. The decision, driven by labor shortages, faces backlash from unions and experts who warn of potential negative consequences on worker wellbeing and productivity.
Satnam Singh, an Indian laborer, died in northern Italy after being abandoned by his employer following an accident. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has condemned the treatment and called for humane treatment of workers. The employer has been arrested, and India has raised the issue with Italian authorities demanding prompt action.
A proposal to give farmworkers protections under Maine’s minimum wage law has been vetoed by Gov. Janet Mills. The Labor and Housing Committee had amended the bill to allow farmworkers to pursue private litigation in response to alleged violations, which Mills opposed due to concerns about the potential financial impact on farmers. Advocates for farmworkers criticized the veto, saying it sends a message that farmworkers are of second-class status. The bill passed the House of Representatives with narrow margins, but a two-thirds vote in each chamber is needed to override the governor’s veto, which is seen as unlikely.
