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Boeing defense workers in the St. Louis region voted to approve a new labor agreement, formally ending a strike that lasted more than three months. The contract includes wage increases, bonuses, and improved benefits for the 3,200 members of IAM District 837, who had previously rejected multiple company offers. With the strike concluded, Boeing can resume delayed production of key military aircraft such as the F-15EX.

The Transport Workers Union Local 234, representing about 5,000 workers at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), has voted to authorize a strike if contract negotiations fail. Key issues include unequal sick-pay policies and wages. Contract expiration is noted as November 7.

Tens of thousands of workers at the University of California system — including custodians, food-service staff and patient-care technicians represented by AFSCME Local 3299 — began a two-day strike on Nov 17. The union says offered wage increases (5% in 2025, then 4% and 3% in subsequent years) fall far short of the 8.5% now demanded, especially given surging healthcare and housing costs.

The Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee will vote on November 19 on the nomination of Scott Mayer, a Boeing-company lawyer, to fill a seat on the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The appointment could affect the federal board’s capacity to act on labor disputes, especially as it currently lacks a quorum.

Over 100 members of the U.S. Congress—on a committee led by Senator Bernie Sanders—wrote to Starbucks’ CEO urging the company to resume fair contract talks with the union and cease what they describe as “union-busting” tactics. The letter calls on Starbucks to reverse course and negotiate a fair deal.

Unionized baristas at Starbucks voted overwhelmingly to authorize an open-ended strike should no contract be reached by November 13, coinciding with the company’s major “Red Cup Day” promotion. The union is demanding better staffing, pay, and protections; Starbucks says it already offers top retail jobs and can operate through the holiday season.

A challenge brought by the Freedom Foundation against an Oregon corrections union’s fee policy has been rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court. The suit claimed the Association of Oregon Corrections Employees violated workers’ First Amendment rights by allowing charges for representation services even after they opted out of membership. With lower courts dismissing the case for lack of standing, Oregon’s robust labor protections remain intact, continuing to draw opposition from anti-union organizations.

As the Boeing strike nears its fourth month, company leaders have introduced a revised contract featuring a $6,000 signing bonus and higher base pay for St. Louis-area workers. The new offer removes stock options from earlier versions in favor of more immediate cash and retains improvements to vacation and sick leave. Union members are set to vote on the proposal Thursday, which could bring employees back to work by mid-November if approved.

Over a hundred members of Congress are urging Starbucks to return to the bargaining table with Workers United, the union representing thousands of its baristas. The letters—sent Monday by the Congressional Labor Caucus and a group of senators led by Bernie Sanders—come as the union threatens an open-ended strike beginning November 13, coinciding with Starbucks’ busy Red Cup Day. Lawmakers argued the company can afford to raise pay and benefits, while Starbucks maintains it has offered competitive compensation and remains ready to negotiate if the union re-engages.

October saw an uptick in U.S. services activity, marking the strongest expansion in eight months even as hiring remained sluggish amid tariff pressures and the ongoing government shutdown. The Institute for Supply Management’s index rose to 52.4, reflecting solid demand in sectors like retail and transportation. Economists noted that while new orders surged, weak employment and rising input costs suggest a mixed outlook for the broader economy heading into the fourth quarter.