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Maine Governor Janet Mills vetoed two high-profile bills, one that would have allowed farmworkers to unionize and another expanding legal representation for low-income defendants. Mills argued the unionization bill would impose confusing and costly regulations on small farms, echoing concerns she raised when vetoing a similar measure last year. She also rejected the indigent defense bill, saying it would strain judicial resources and worsen existing court backlogs. These are her first vetoes of the legislative session, with more decisions expected soon.

A federal appeals court sided with the NLRB in ruling that a Pennsylvania factory worker’s comments about COVID-19 safety concerns were protected under labor law. The court agreed that Ronald Vincer’s remarks aimed to improve workplace conditions, qualifying as concerted activity. However, it sent the case back to the board to reassess whether his firing was directly tied to those comments. The decision upholds the NLRB’s broader interpretation of worker protections but requires further review of the facts.

A recent labor dispute has escalated into a constitutional challenge, as the pharmacy division of Jewel-Osco argues that the National Labor Relations Act and the NLRB’s structure are unconstitutional. The case arose after federal officials accused the company of failing to bargain in good faith with Teamsters Local 727. Union leaders called the claims meritless and a tactic to avoid accountability to workers. A hearing is scheduled for September.

As Amazon ramps up its use of generative artificial intelligence, the company expects a reduction in its corporate workforce over the next few years. CEO Andy Jassy shared in a message to employees that while AI will eliminate some current roles, it will also create demand for new ones. He urged staff to explore AI tools, attend trainings, and help integrate the technology into daily operations. With over 1,000 generative AI applications already in progress, Amazon is investing heavily in its cloud and AI infrastructure—including multibillion-dollar data center projects across several U.S. states and deeper partnerships with startups like Anthropic.

Swensen's Magic Markets LLC, a grocery chain in south-central Idaho, has been fined over $250,000 after federal investigators found it employed six minors to perform hazardous jobs like cleaning meat slicers and operating trash compactors. The U.S. Department of Labor also found a 13-year-old was employed in violation of legal age restrictions and that minors worked beyond permitted hours. Additionally, three adult employees were denied proper overtime pay. The store must now pay back wages and damages, and comply with federal child labor laws across its Hagerman, Paul, and Twin Falls locations.

New unemployment claims fell slightly to 245,000 last week, but widespread layoffs across industries and a decline in hiring suggest the U.S. labor market is losing momentum. Continuing claims also dipped to 1.945 million, yet remain elevated as recently laid-off workers struggle to find new jobs. Meanwhile, single-family housing permits dropped 2.7% in May—the lowest level since April 2023—amid high borrowing costs, excess inventory, and weakened buyer demand. Economists cite tariffs, stalled interest rate cuts, and global instability as contributing to economic uncertainty heading into summer.

More Safeway grocery workers in Colorado have joined a growing strike over staffing shortages and proposed cuts to health and pension benefits, bringing the total number of affected locations to seven, including stores in Castle Rock, Littleton, and a distribution center in Denver. The union representing the workers, UFCW Local 7, warned that more of the state’s 105 Safeway and Albertsons stores could soon follow if negotiations stall. Safeway says it’s negotiating in good faith, though details remain sparse. The strike is unfolding amid broader unrest nationwide, with UFCW locals in multiple states also authorizing potential walkouts at Kroger- and Albertsons-owned stores.

A proposed Wisconsin bill to expand the ratio of apprentices to journeyworkers in state-approved programs is drawing sharp lines between business groups and labor unions. Current law limits most programs to one apprentice per journeyworker unless otherwise allowed in a union contract. The new legislation would permit a 2-to-1 ratio, with supporters like Associated Builders and Contractors arguing it’s necessary to address a looming labor shortage as many skilled tradespeople approach retirement. However, unions like the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades oppose the change, citing safety risks and concerns about training quality. The bill has been introduced by Republicans and is under committee review.

A visa interview freeze under the Trump administration is causing major disruptions to the J-1 exchange visitor program, stranding thousands of au pairs, camp counselors, and seasonal workers abroad. The pause, now in its fourth week, is delaying or derailing summer plans for families, camps, and employers who rely on international workers to fill critical roles. About 40% of au pairs placed by one agency are still awaiting interviews, and over 3,000 camp-related visa applicants remain in limbo. The backlog is also expected to ripple into other employment-based visa categories like H-1Bs, raising concerns across sectors dependent on foreign talent.

A labor agreement has been reached between Uber and key unions in Chicago, effectively halting a proposed ordinance that would have mandated higher wages for ride-share drivers. The Illinois Drivers Alliance—supported by SEIU Local 1 and IAM Local 701—secured a pledge from Uber to remain neutral toward union organizing. While the deal is seen by supporters as a step toward long-term worker protections, critics argue it stalls urgently needed wage reforms.