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Hundreds of Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia are demanding unpaid wages and compensation after their former employer, a supplier to major Japanese companies, abruptly shut down operations. Many of the workers say they endured exploitative conditions—such as 24-hour shifts and withheld passports—before the factory closed last year without paying months of back wages. The fallout has deepened debt burdens for the workers, most of whom borrowed thousands to secure their jobs. While companies like Sony, Panasonic, and Daikin have pledged partial reimbursement, labor advocates argue the aid falls short, and the broader system of recruitment and migrant labor remains rife with abuse.

Wellington’s economy is feeling the strain of deep government spending cuts that have led to thousands of public sector job losses and stalled hiring across key sectors. As New Zealand’s conservative government prepares its 2025 budget, many ministries are bracing for continued fiscal restraint. While officials argue the strategy is necessary to keep debt low and attract investment, critics warn it’s causing a “hollowing out” of the capital’s workforce and economic base. Business closures, declining house prices, and growing unemployment have fueled concerns that the cuts are punishing not just government workers, but the broader economy.

A federal judge has dismissed the Treasury Department’s attempt to void a union contract for IRS workers, marking an early setback to efforts aimed at limiting collective bargaining rights for federal employees. The case stemmed from a Trump executive order seeking to exempt several agencies from union obligations, but the judge ruled the lawsuit was premature since Treasury had not yet acted on the order. While the decision did not weigh in on the legality of the policy itself, it highlights ongoing legal battles between federal worker unions and the administration. Labor groups argue the order is politically motivated, while the government cites national security concerns.

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.