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Labor unions and immigrant advocacy groups in Chicago are coordinating a May Day march to protest federal immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. The event, planned for May 1 at Union Park, is being led by the Chicago Coalition Against the Trump Agenda and includes groups like the Chicago Teachers Union and AFGE Local 704. Organizers say the march aims to show solidarity between immigrant and labor communities, with a focus on protecting workers’ rights and opposing mass deportations. The action is one of several planned nationwide for International Workers’ Day.

A congressional committee is pressing for a federal investigation into alleged financial misconduct by 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, following a report that its president, George Gresham, misused union funds. The House Education and Workforce Committee, led by Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.), cited concerns over spending on luxury travel, payouts to political allies, and events unrelated to union members. Gresham has denied wrongdoing and promised an independent review, though details remain vague. Tensions within the union are growing, as members vote in a leadership election and some staff demand greater transparency. The Department of Labor has not confirmed whether it’s investigating.

Concerns are mounting at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) after two staffers from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) were assigned to the agency following whistleblower allegations of unauthorized data access. The move comes just after a whistleblower claimed DOGE may have already removed sensitive labor data, including union-related and personal information, from the NLRB’s systems. Employees say the atmosphere is tense, with fears about data integrity and transparency. Officials insist there’s been no system breach, but whistleblower documents suggest DOGE accessed and altered agency accounts. Lawmakers are now pushing for an investigation into whether DOGE violated federal law.

Labor unions and progressive groups have launched a new legal aid effort to help federal workers affected by the Trump administration's mass layoffs. Led by the AFL-CIO and We The Action, the initiative—called Rise Up—will train thousands of volunteer lawyers to offer free consultations to workers who were fired or believe their rights were violated. The project comes as Trump and advisor Elon Musk push deep cuts across federal agencies, with thousands already dismissed or pushed to resign. Organizers say individual legal support is essential to challenging the administration’s actions in court.

Over 320,000 signatures were submitted in Utah to challenge a new law that bans collective bargaining for public employees like teachers, nurses, and first responders. The campaign, known as Protect Utah Workers, gathered more than twice the required amount, potentially placing the law on hold until a 2026 public vote—if enough signatures are verified across 15 state senate districts. Supporters say the law punishes public servants and undermines their rights, while backers of the bill claim it safeguards taxpayers. The verification process could take weeks, with a final decision expected by June 21.

Train engineers in New Jersey have overwhelmingly voted against a proposed contract, intensifying a labor standoff that could lead to a strike or lockout by mid-May. The union says workers haven’t seen a raise since 2019, despite staffing trains through the pandemic and record inflation. NJ Transit officials say they're disappointed by the outcome but open to further talks. The failed deal was said to include a pay bump and settle a longstanding grievance, though details remain unclear. Tensions have been simmering for years, with federal intervention already attempted last summer.

SAG-AFTRA, the union representing about 133,000 commercial actors and singers, reached a tentative labor agreement with advertisers and agencies on April 12, avoiding a major strike. The deal now heads to the union’s national board and then to members for a ratification vote. This contract was the largest set to expire in 2025 and could have sparked the first major strike of Trump’s second term. No details on the agreement have been released yet.

Over a dozen major unions filed a lawsuit on April 14 to stop President Trump from dismantling the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), arguing that only Congress has the authority to dissolve federal agencies. Trump’s March executive order cut FMCS staffing by over 90% and shut down field offices. Unions say this leaves them vulnerable to strikes and contract gaps. The lawsuit asks a federal court to block the order and restore the agency’s operations. The FMCS maintains it is still performing its legal duties.

Elon Musk’s tech group, U.S. DOGE Service, is being accused of causing a major cybersecurity breach at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). An internal IT staffer claims the team had excessive access to sensitive case files and that 10GB of data was quietly removed after logging systems were disabled. The NLRB denies any breach, but NPR reports the incident raised red flags similar to cyberattacks, and that attempts to report the issue were blocked by agency leadership. Musk’s team and federal cybersecurity officials haven’t responded to the claims.

Two of New York City’s most influential labor unions — 32BJ SEIU and the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council — have endorsed Andrew Cuomo for mayor, boosting his campaign despite his past scandals. These endorsements come after Mayor Eric Adams opted to skip the Democratic primary, and signal a strategic decision by unions that prioritize political pragmatism and influence in key industries like real estate and hospitality. Although Cuomo resigned as governor in 2021 amid sexual harassment allegations, union leaders now highlight his track record of leadership and labor-friendly policies. Some progressive candidates drew interest from labor circles, but their more left-leaning agendas and criticisms of business ties made them less appealing to these unions.