Private delivery firms eye bigger market share as strikes plague Canada Post
As labor disruptions continue to plague Canada Post, private carriers like UPS and FedEx are rapidly gaining ground in Canada’s $17 billion delivery market. Ongoing strikes and a nationwide overtime ban have pushed small businesses to seek more reliable — though costlier — delivery options. Canada Post's market share has plummeted from 62% in 2019 to just over 26% last year, and analysts warn it could fall into the teens by late 2026 if labor disputes persist. The shift marks a major transformation in how Canadian retailers manage logistics.
See "Private delivery firms eye bigger market share as strikes plague Canada Post", Abhinav Parmar, Reuters, July 7, 2025
Essentia, Duluth-area hospital nurses reach contract deal to avoid strike
Nurses at Essentia Health hospitals in Minnesota have reached a tentative contract agreement, avoiding a planned strike set for this week. The deal includes a nearly 10% raise over three years and a temporary freeze on staff ratio reductions. While hospital nurses may return to work without disruption, other Essentia employees — including clinic nurses and advanced practice providers — could still strike later this week if no agreement is reached. The situation remains fluid as negotiations continue.
See "Essentia, Duluth-area hospital nurses reach contract deal to avoid strike", Madison Mcvan, Minnesota Reformer, July 7, 2025
Trash collection sites 'not a free pass for illegal dumping,' city says
Overflowing dumpsters, arrests near City Hall, and frustration from residents mark the seventh day of Philadelphia’s ongoing municipal workers’ strike. As sanitation workers remain off the job, temporary trash drop-off sites have become overwhelmed, prompting officials to warn against illegal dumping and remind residents to follow rules on usage. Talks between the city and AFSCME District Council 33 are set to resume Tuesday, offering a possible path forward. The union is pushing for a 15% wage increase over three years, while the city’s latest offer stands at 8.75%.
See "Trash collection sites 'not a free pass for illegal dumping,' city says", 6abc Staffwriter, 6abc, July 7, 2025
Philadelphia aims to control trash pileups ahead of holiday weekend as city workers strike continues
Thousands of Philadelphia municipal workers are off the job as a citywide strike continues, disrupting essential services like trash pickup, recreation center hours, and 911 dispatch. The walkout, led by AFSCME District Council 33, stems from stalled contract talks over wages, benefits, and working conditions. While the city has offered a 13% raise over four years, union members argue it's not enough to address the rising cost of living. With no new negotiations scheduled, the labor standoff highlights growing tensions over public-sector compensation and respect for frontline workers.
See "Philadelphia aims to control trash pileups ahead of holiday weekend as city workers strike continues", Bruce Shipkowski, AP News, July 3, 2025
Hundreds of Oregon Department of Transportation workers will receive layoff notices next week
More than 600 workers at the Oregon Department of Transportation are facing layoffs after the state legislature failed to pass a long-anticipated funding package. With a $300 million budget gap and no legislative solution in sight, the agency says it has no choice but to cut a significant share of its operational workforce, including those responsible for road maintenance and inspections. Unionized employees and labor advocates have raised alarms about both the suddenness and scale of the cuts. The situation underscores growing tensions between budget constraints and the protection of public-sector jobs in essential services.
See "Hundreds of Oregon Department of Transportation workers will receive layoff notices next week", Carlos Fuentes, The Oregonian, July 3, 2025
US court says Trump can remove Democrat from labor board, for now
A federal appeals court has temporarily allowed President Trump to remove Democratic appointee Susan Tsui Grundmann from the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA), pausing a lower court ruling that had reinstated her. The court suggested that statutory limits on removing FLRA members may unlawfully restrict the president’s authority over executive agencies. Labor advocates worry the removal could deadlock the board, which is central to resolving disputes between federal unions and agencies. The case highlights broader legal battles over presidential control of independent labor-related agencies.
See "US court says Trump can remove Democrat from labor board, for now", Daniel Wiessner, Reuters, July 3, 2025
Hard Bargaining Gone Bad: D.C. Cir. Upholds NLRB’s Bad-Faith Finding
The D.C. Circuit upheld an NLRB finding that George Washington University Hospital engaged in bad-faith bargaining with 1199SEIU, emphasizing how aggressive employer proposals can violate labor law. The court found the hospital’s persistent push for expansive management rights, a no-strike clause without arbitration, and elimination of binding dispute resolution reflected unlawful surface bargaining. The ruling reaffirms that even during tough negotiations, employers must uphold the integrity of the bargaining process and avoid tactics that would render union representation meaningless.
See "Hard Bargaining Gone Bad: D.C. Cir. Upholds NLRB’s Bad-Faith Finding", Paul Salvatore, Joshua S. Fox, Austin McLeod , The National Law Review, July 2, 2025
Federal Mediation Services’ Future Dim Despite Workers’ Return
Dozens of federal labor mediators have returned to work at the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) following a court order halting mass layoffs, but the agency’s future remains in jeopardy. The Trump administration is pushing for a 2026 budget that would slash FMCS funding from $50 million to just $7 million, effectively dismantling the agency and eliminating most staff. Labor advocates warn that shutting down FMCS will especially harm smaller employers and lead to more frequent and prolonged strikes. The move has drawn criticism from both union and management-side attorneys, and further litigation is expected.
See "Federal Mediation Services’ Future Dim Despite Workers’ Return", Parker Purifoy, Bloomberg Law News, July 2, 2025
Microsoft laying off about 9,000 employees in latest round of cuts
Roughly 9,000 jobs are being eliminated in a new round of layoffs as part of a broader restructuring effort at one of the tech industry’s largest employers. The cuts—impacting less than 4% of the company’s workforce—span multiple teams, regions, and experience levels. Leadership says the goal is to streamline management and improve agility in a shifting market. This move follows earlier layoffs in May and June, reflecting continued cost-cutting trends across the tech sector.
See "Microsoft laying off about 9,000 employees in latest round of cuts", Jordan Novet, CNBC, July 2, 2025
Real wage increase from today for nearly 3 million workers
Starting today, nearly 3 million Australian workers will receive a 3.5% pay raise under the Fair Work Commission’s decision, resulting in a real wage increase above inflation. The Albanese Labor Government advocated for this change, which boosts the national minimum wage and benefits one in four Australian employees—many of whom are low-paid, casual, part-time, or young workers. Employment Minister Amanda Rishworth emphasized the government's commitment to lifting wages to ease cost-of-living pressures.
See "Real wage increase from today for nearly 3 million workers", Staffwriter, The National Tribune, July 1, 2025
Would you like to receive WIT in email?
Thank you for subscribing!